Dr. Shikant S/O Srinivas Rao Kulkarni v. M Dhananjaya
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 – Sections 11 and 12 r/w Article 215, Constitution of India – civil contempt
Case brief
What is this about?
CCC No.100032 of 2024, High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench (Division Bench: S G Pandit and C.M. Poonacha, JJ.; order per S G Pandit, J.), decided 09.04.2025. Civil contempt petition by Dr. Shikant Kulkarni alleging wilful disobedience of the Single Judge's order dated 15.03.2023 in WP No.100123/2023 (S-RES) requiring consideration of his representation. On the Government producing an endorsement dated 5.2.2025 rejecting the representation, the Court held there was substantial compliance and dropped further proceedings, reserving liberty to challenge the endorsement. Relevant to: substantial compliance in contempt proceedings; effect of subsequent rejection of representation; Sections 11 and 12, Contempt of Courts Act, 1971; Article 215, Constitution of India; Collegiate Education Department, Karnataka.
What did the court decide?
Further proceedings in the contempt petition dropped; no punishment imposed on accused Nos.1 to 3; liberty granted to the complainant to challenge the endorsement dated 5.2.2025, if so advised.