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Anraj Devi v. Deepak Kumar

Contempt Petition · 2025 INSC 64Decided 8 Jan 2025
CONMT.PET.(C) No.-000465 - 2019
Justice J.K. Maheshwari · Justice Rajesh Bindal

Background

The petitioner's late husband had worked as a Store Keeper at a college in Aurangabad and was eventually absorbed into service by Magadh University following an earlier Supreme Court order. After his death, the petitioner's family pension and post-retiral dues were not settled, so she filed a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with the Court's earlier 2017 order confirming his absorption.

Decision Breakdown

The Supreme Court did not find it necessary to punish anyone for contempt, but used the petition as an opportunity to give practical directions. It directed the petitioner to submit a representation with supporting documents to the University's Registrar/Vice Chancellor, directed the University to hold an inquiry and pass a reasoned order on the family pension and retiral benefits within three months, and directed payment within two months thereafter, while leaving the petitioner free to approach the High Court if dissatisfied. The petition was disposed of on these terms.

Lesson Learnt

A contempt petition can sometimes be used pragmatically to obtain concrete enforcement directions even where the Court does not go so far as to record a finding of wilful contempt. Courts will step in to ensure a widow does not remain indefinitely deprived of her deceased spouse's pension dues.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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