LI Network
Published on: January 24, 2024 at 11:15 IST
The Supreme Court took a stern stance on Tuesday, issuing a non-bailable warrant against a litigant who not only refused to pay earlier imposed costs but also labeled the contempt notice as “useless” and “disrespectful.”
The contempt proceedings pertain to Upendra Nath Dalai, a public interest litigation (PIL) petitioner, who failed to deposit ₹1 lakh in costs.
The bench, comprising Justices CT Ravikumar and Rajesh Bindal, expressed displeasure at the language used in Dalai’s response and directed the Balasore district Superintendent of Police to ensure his appearance in court on February 13.
Justice Ravikumar highlighted Dalai’s response, stating, “Sir, I decline to appear in Court because it is a useless notice from you to me. It is a disrespectful act from you to me.”
The bench, disapproving of the contemptuous tone, promptly issued a non-bailable warrant through the District Superintendent of Police, Balasore, Odisha.
The contempt proceedings were initiated against Dalai after he failed to pay the imposed costs related to a PIL he filed, seeking to declare Satsang founder Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra as a parmatma.
The Supreme Court had clarified in December 2022 that India is a secular country, dismissing such ‘misconceived’ prayers made through PILs. Despite a previous bailable warrant issued in September 2023, Dalai has not appeared before the court in this matter.