Dismissed¶37

Sudha Katwa v. State of Karnataka

Karnataka HC20 Mar 2025CCC/1186/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Karnataka High Court civil contempt (CCC No. 1186 of 2024; NC: 2025:KHC:11769-DB); compliance with order dated 01.12.2020 in W.P. No.13774/2020 on preventing illegal sale of liquor; complaint by women's organization (Madhya Nisheda Andolan, Raichur); Excise Commissioner's compliance affidavit dated 07.01.2025; Sections 11 and 12, Contempt of Courts Act, 1971; respondents incl. Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Revenue), Secretary (Karnataka State Temperance Board), Excise Commissioner; contempt petition dismissed as compliance shown; bench: N.V. Anjaria, CJ and M.I. Arun, J.

What did the court decide?

The compliance affidavit dated 07.01.2025 filed by respondent No.4, the Excise Commissioner, explaining the action initiated by the State to curb illegal sale of liquor, amounts to compliance of the order passed in Writ Petition No.13774 of 2020.

Sudha Katwa Vs State of Karnataka — Contempt of Court | Karnataka HC (2025)

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NC: 2025:KHC:11769-DB CCC No. 1186 of 2024

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 20^TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025

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PRESENT

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THE HON'BLE MR N. V. ANJARIA, CHIEF JUSTICE

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AND

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THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.I.ARUN CIVIL CONTEMPT PETITION NO. 1186 OF 2024

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BETWEEN:

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SUDHA KATWA

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AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS MEMBER MADHYA NISHEDA ANDOLAN BEHIND KK REDDY HALL ASHAPUR ROAD, RAICHUR RESIDING AT No.1202, F BLOCK JALAVAYU HEIGHTS APARTMENT HMT MAIN ROAD, JALAHALLI BANGALORE- 560 013. KARNATAKA.

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…COMPLAINANT

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Digitally signed by H K HEMA Location: High Court of Karnataka

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(BY SRI. HARISH N.N. SR.ADVOCATE A/W SRI. AMITH NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND:

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STATE OF KARNATAKA

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BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA ROOM No.320, 3^RD FLOOR VIDHAN SOUDHA BENGALURU-560 001.

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…PROFORMA RESPONDENT

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NC: 2025:KHC:11769-DB CCC No. 1186 of 2024

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SRI RAJENDRA KUMAR KATARIA THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA REVENUE DEPARTMENT ROOM NO.505, 5^TH FLOOR M.S. BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560 001.

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SRI A HANUMANARASAIAH SECRETERY THE KARNATAKA STATE TEMPERANCE BOARD V.V.TOWER, 6^TH FLOOR DR. AMBEDHKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU- 560 001.

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DR. J RAVISHANKAR THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER 2^ND FLOOR, TTMC BUILDING A BLOCK BMTC, KH ROAD SHANTINAGARA, BENGALURU-560 027.

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…ACCUSED

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(BY SMT. PRAMODHINI KISHAN, AGA)

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THIS CCC IS FILED UNDER SECTIONS 11 AND 12 OF CONTEMPT OF COURTS ACT, 1971, PRAYING TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE CONTEMPT OF COURTS ACT, 1971 AND PUNISH THE RESPONDENT/ACCUSED FOR THE WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE OF THE ORDER OF THIS HON'BLE COURT DATED 01.12.2020 IN W.P.NO.13774/2020, IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW TO SECURE THE ENDS OF JUSTICE.

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THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER:

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3 - NC: 2025:KHC:11769-DB CCC No. 1186 of 2024

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CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. JUSTICE N. V. ANJARIA and HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.I.ARUN

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ORAL JUDGMENT

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(PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN)

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The instant contempt petition is filed for compliance of the order passed by this Court in Writ Petition No.13774 of 2020.

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In Writ Petition No.13774 of 2020 it has been observed that,

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"it is the duty of the State Government to ensure that if liquor is being illegally sold, on a complaint received in that behalf, immediate action is taken for preventing illegal sale of liquor. If an organization of women makes such a complaint, it is all the more necessary for the State Government and its Officer to act very expeditiously considering the rights of women. Hence, the State Government shall take action accordingly."

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In response to the contempt petition, respondent No.4 who is the Excise Commissioner has filed a compliance affidavit dated 07.01.2025, explaining the manner in which the State has initiated action to curb illegal sale of liquor. This in our opinion, amounts to compliance of the order passed in Writ Petition No.13774 of 2020.

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NC: 2025:KHC:11769-DB CCC No. 1186 of 2024

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