Contempt petition time-barred and unsupported by locus, while resolution professional's conduct found consistent with CIRP management scheme.

A contempt petition was found time-barred because it was filed long after the alleged breach and the petitioner's claim of delayed knowledge was rejected on the facts. Locus standi was also denied, as the earlier direction was not shown to be an order in rem affecting the public generally. On merits, no contempt was made out against the Resolution Professional because the complained-of conduct, including appointment of the PMC, was treated as consistent with the statutory management scheme during CIRP and with the earlier direction to preserve the corporate debtor as a going concern. The proceedings were dismissed with exemplary costs.

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Issues: (i) Whether the contempt petition was barred by limitation and whether a third party had locus standi to maintain it; (ii) whether the alleged acts of the Resolution Professional constituted contempt of the earlier order.

Issue (i): Whether the contempt petition was barred by limitation and whether a third party had locus standi to maintain it.

Analysis: The petition was filed long after the order allegedly violated, and the record showed that the appointment of the PMC was known to the petitioner well before the petition was instituted. The reliance on concealment and delayed knowledge was rejected on the facts. The objection on locus standi was also declined because the earlier direction operated between the parties and was not shown to be an order in rem affecting the public at large.

Conclusion: The contempt petition was held to be barred by limitation and not maintainable at the instance of the petitioner.

Issue (ii): Whether the alleged acts of the Resolution Professional constituted contempt of the earlier order.

Analysis: The earlier order required that the company be kept as a going concern, that the Interim Resolution Professional take assistance of the suspended board, and that the committee of creditors not be constituted if not already constituted. The appointment of the PMC was treated as consistent with the operational management of the corporate debtor, and the conduct complained of was found to align with the statutory scheme governing management, cooperation, and preservation of the corporate debtor during CIRP.

Conclusion: No contempt was made out against the Resolution Professional.

Final Conclusion: The contempt proceedings failed both on maintainability and on merits, and were dismissed with exemplary costs.

Ratio Decidendi: A contempt petition must be brought within the statutory limitation period and must disclose wilful disobedience of a specific enforceable direction; absent timely initiation, a valid basis for locus, and proof of breach, contempt jurisdiction cannot be invoked.

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