Delhi High Court Issues Contempt Notice To Registrar Listing For 'Demeaning' Authority Of Court

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to its Registrar (Listing) asking the officer to explain why contempt proceedings be not initiated against him for failing to discharge his official duty and "outrightly demeaning the authority of court".

"The Registrar (Listing) is accordingly directed to file his reply to Show Cause within four weeks from today," said Justice Chandra Dhari Singh in an order.

On Tuesday, the Registrar (Listing) had been asked by the court to assist it regarding the issue raised by counsels about listing of a writ petition. A communication asking the officer to appear before the court was sent through the staff.

"After a span of 30 minutes, when the matter was called again, the Court Master informed that despite conveying to the Registrar (Listing) that he is required to be present to assist the Court regarding the listing of the said petition, no communication has been received from the Registrar (Listing)," the court recorded in its order.

Justice Singh further said that the court waited for a few minutes to enable the officer to appear before it. However, the Registrar (Listing) failed to be present before the Court despite express communication being duly made in this regard, it noted.

"Such type of conduct of the Registrar (Listing) is neither warranted nor appropriate. The concerned officer has not only failed to discharge his official duty but also caused difficulty in proceeding with the instant matter by outrightly demeaning the authority of this Court. This negligence on his part has prima facie led to obstruction of administration of justice. Such conduct in the face of the order of this Court is nothing but contumacious," said Justice Singh.

The court said it is constrained to issue the show cause notice to the officer. "List on 14th November, 2022," it said.

Title: SH. DILBAGH SINGH AND ORS v GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS