Contempt proceedings not warranted where disputed reward payment depended on disposal of pending appeals and applicable rules.

No prima facie case for contempt was found where the alleged non-payment of reward money was explained as payable only for appeals already disposed of, with the balance becoming due after finalisation of the pending appeals under the applicable rules. On that basis, the Delhi HC held that there was no clear violation of the earlier directions warranting contempt proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and no notice under section 12 was justified.

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Issues: Whether the contempt petition disclosed a prima facie case for initiation of proceedings under section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Analysis: The alleged non-payment of reward money was explained by the respondents on the basis that only those appeals which had been disposed of had given rise to payment already made, while the remaining amount would become payable only after finalisation of the pending appeals and in accordance with the applicable rules. On that basis, the Court found no clear violation of the earlier directions warranting contempt action.

Conclusion: No prima facie case for contempt was made out and no notice under section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was warranted.

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