Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 31: High Court today issued show cause notice to Law Secretary and Secretary to Forest Department and directed them to appear before the court on June 2 for violating the orders.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey while hearing a contempt petition by Law Officer of Forest Department Rabia Shah seeking implementation of the judgment wherein authorities were directed to regularize the services of Shah in the department asked these authorities to show cause as to why they be not punished for disobeying the court orders.
Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department had moved an application before the Division Bench seeking extension of time for the implementing the earlier judgment. General Administration Department informed the court that Law Department returned Rabia’s file, with the advice that the matter be placed before an empowered committee by downgrading the post held by her to the pay scale of Rs 6500-10500 in consultation with Finance Department leaving aside the judgment of the court.
Court expressed its serious concern over the act and attitude of department and observed the department is totally in conflict and contradiction of court directions and impleaded the Law Department as party respondent in the contempt petition.
The Secretary, Law Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, as well as the Secretary, Forest Department, are directed to appear in person before this court on 02 June 2016 at 2 p.m. and show cause as to why they should not be punished for committing contempt of the court”, court directed.
It is worthwhile to mention here that on May 19, the court had directed the State Government through Chief Secretary to issue order of regularization in favour of Rabia Shah within four weeks and she shall be given all consequential benefits which she is entitled to.
Petitioner Rabia submitted before the court that she joined the Forest Department in 1990 and discharged her duties as Law Officer as such she has sought confirmation and release of grade for the post of Law Officer.
According to her, she continues to hold the post in question but her services were not regularized for one reason or other which constrained her to approach the court in the year 1999 for regularization of her services as Law Officer in the Forest Department.