'You're An IAS Officer, Face The Music If You Don't Obey Court Order' : SC Refuses To Stay Warrant Against Noida CEO

The Supreme Court on Monday(May 9) refused to stay the non-bailable warrant issued by the Allahabad High Court against  the Chief Executive Officer of New Okhla Industrial Development Authority(NOIDA) Ritu Maheshwari after she failed to appear in a contempt case.

Additional Solicitor General Balbir Singh mentioned the matter before the Chief Justice of India for urgent relief, but in vain.

"Non bailable warrants have been issued against woman IAS officer", the ASG submitted. 

When the counsel said she had got late in reaching in the Court, the CJI said : "You are an IAS officer, you know the rules.Everyday we see from Allahabad HC, there's breach of orders. This is routine, everyday one or the officer has to come & seek permission. What is this? You don't respect orders of the court.If you don't obey high court orders, you'll have to face the music".

"Let her appear. Let them understand", the CJI added.

When the counsel said that she has two children, the CJI said "You request the High Court".

The High Court had ordered the police to arrest her and bring her in court on May 13.

On April 2, 2022, IAS Officer Ritu Maheshwari was asked to remain present before the Court on May 5, 2022, however, when the Court took up the matter on May 5, it was informed to the Court that she was set to catch her flight to Prayagraj at 10:30 a.m.

In view of this, a Bench of Justice Saral Srivastava ,deprecating her conduct, remarked thus:

"She was supposed to be here at 10:00 a.m., therefore, the Court cannot countenance the conduct of CEO, NOIDA in taking flight after the functioning of the Court starts and expected the Court to wait for her and take up the matter after she reaches the Court. This conduct of CEO is reprehensible and amounts to contempt of Courts, inasmuch as she has been summoned by the Court in a contempt proceeding for non-compliance of an order passed by Writ Court… The order of Writ Court has not been complied with and in such view of the fact, when the Court has passed an order for appearance of CEO NOIDA, she was expected to be present in Court when the functioning of the Court starts at 10:00 a.m. rather she chose to take flight at 10:30 a.m. from Delhi deliberately with an expectation that the Court will take up the matter as per her convenience."

Update on May 10 at 11.22 AM : Supreme Court Stays Warrant Issued By Allahabad HC Against Noida CEO Ritu Maheshwari IAS