High Court stays CAT’s contempt proceedings

Srinagar, Nov 20: High Court of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh has taken a significant step by staying an order passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Srinagar bench concerning contempt proceedings.
The CAT Srinagar bench in its order dated 16-11-2023 had previously asserted that contempt proceedings are a matter solely between the court and the alleged contemnor. This assertion prompted the intervention of the Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh High Court.
The order issued by the Division Bench of CAT Srinagar bench Comprising of M. S Latif Member(J) &PrasantKumar Member (A) had directed the Commissioner Secretary Revenue to comply with the tribunal’s directives, cautioning that non-compliance could lead to contempt proceedings against the Commissioner Secretary Revenue.
However, the division bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh & Justice Mohammad AkramChowdhary has intervened by staying the order dated 16-11-2023 issued by the CAT Srinagar bench. Additionally, the High Court has called for the case record from the CAT Srinagar Bench.
Dissatisfied with the decision of the CAT, the alleged contemnors have approached the Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh High Court to challenge the orders passed by the CAT Srinagar Bench.