The Supreme Court on Friday rapped two members of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and also issued them contempt of court notices. The Supreme Court passed an order against a real estate firm for violating its March 1 order to refrain from any coercive action. NCDRC members Subhash Chandra and Dr Sadhna Shankar appeared before the bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah. These two members had issued non-bailable warrants against the directors of the real estate company despite the stay order of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court reprimanded both the members of the Commission and asked them how did you issue the non-bailable warrant despite the stay order? The bench also asked that both of you tell the court why contempt of court proceedings should not be taken against you? However, both the members gave an affidavit to the Supreme Court that they had committed this mistake unknowingly but the court was not satisfied with their answer. Even after talking to both the NCDRC members present during the hearing and their lawyer Attorney General R. Venkataramani, the court was not satisfied with their explanation.
What did the court say to the Attorney General?
After hearing the arguments, Justice Amanullah told the Attorney General that we respect you. That's why we are asking you directly. Do you still stand by your oath? yes or no? Because it would have serious punitive consequences, we hold it to be contempt of court. You have to be careful about which papers you sign. Later the Attorney General apologized on behalf of both the members and said that they did not commit any mistake intentionally.
Despite the arguments the bench remained firm on its stand
The Attorney General apologized and said that I apologize sincerely and unconditionally. Please do not assume that anything has been done intentionally. It is possible that I am failing to explain this. Even after this the court remained firm on its stand. Justice Hima Kohli said that non-bailable warrants should not be underestimated. This is a joke of the court.