Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: High Court today imposed Rs 30,000 cost upon the Commissioner Secretary School Education Department for non-adherence to the directions.
The order was passed in a petition filed by one Vikram Singh Rana through Advocate D K Khajuria. In the earlier petition filed by Vikram Singh Rana in the year 1995, the Court vide order dated December 4, 1998 had directed the respondents to take necessary steps to issue letter of appointment in favour of the petitioner within a period of two months.
However, this order was not complied forcing the petitioner to file contempt petition. On March 1, 2004 the contempt petition was disposed off as it was reported to the Court that Secretary SSRB had made a recommendation on February 28, 2004 in favour of the petitioner recommending his name for Junior Assistant (typist).
“Neither has any affidavit been filed nor anybody has bothered to appear for the State”, Justice D S Thakur observed in the latest petition filed by Vikram Singh Rana, adding “the attitude of the respondents is purely callous and indifferent to the orders of the Court. The entire exercise undertaken by the petitioner and the efforts of the Court resulting in the judgment and order in his favour as reflected in the order dated December 4, 1998 has been rendered infructuous. Despite directions for appointment of petitioner back in the year 1998 nothing has been done. The respondents have not even apprised the court of the reasons for non-implementation of the judgment and order dated December 4, 1998”.
“The failure on the part of the Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department to comply with the directions of the Court is clearly avoidable. Today’s hearing is therefore, adjourned subject to payment of Rs 30,000 as costs to be paid by the Commissioner Secretary School Education Department from his person”, the High Court said.
The High Court made it clear that in case the affidavit was not filed within 10 days or he does not appear in person, bail warrants shall be issued against Commissioner Secretary for his appearance on the next date of hearing.