Case brief
What is this about?
Gauhati High Court, Cont.Cas(C)/599/2023, decided 15.06.2026 by Devashis Baruah, J. Contempt proceeding alleging willful and deliberate violation of the order dated 27.09.2022 in WP(C) No. 1038/2022 concerning payment of Rs. 27,04,196/-; the affidavit-in-opposition of respondent No. 3 (Executive Engineer, Nagaon Water Resource Division) showed Rs. 11,71,342/- already paid and Rs. 15,32,854/- outstanding due to non-receipt of central assistance from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Union of India. Relying on A.K. Jayaprakash (Dead) Through LRs. v. S.S. Mallikarjuna Rao, 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1732 (mens rea for civil contempt cannot be inferred merely from delay), the Court held there was no willful and deliberate violation, dropped the contempt proceedings qua the respondents, and granted the petitioner liberty to take appropriate steps against the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Union of India and, if so advised, file appropriate proceedings in accordance with law.