Contempt jurisdiction gives way to a Supreme Court stay, leading to adjournment of pending contempt proceedings sine die.

Contempt jurisdiction under Article 215 and the Contempt of Courts Act remained recognised, but the High Court treated itself as bound by judicial propriety to respect the Supreme Court's stay of the contempt proceedings. The discussion distinguished the High Court's contempt powers from the Supreme Court's appellate and special leave jurisdiction under Articles 132 to 136, and treated the stay as preventing further progress in the pending matter. The contempt proceedings were adjourned sine die until the connected special leave petition is decided.

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Issues: Whether the contempt proceedings before the High Court should continue or remain adjourned in view of the order of the Supreme Court staying the contempt proceedings.

Analysis: The order proceeds on the footing that the High Court retains contempt jurisdiction under Article 215 of the Constitution of India and Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, but that the Court is bound, as a matter of judicial propriety, by the Supreme Court's stay order. The discussion distinguishes the High Court's contempt powers from the Supreme Court's appellate and special leave jurisdiction under Articles 132 to 134 and Article 136 of the Constitution of India, and treats the order of stay as affecting the continuation of the contempt proceedings in the present case.

Conclusion: The contempt proceedings were adjourned sine die until the Supreme Court decides the connected special leave petition.

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