Srinagar, Jul 29: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has stayed further contempt proceedings initiated against the Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, while observing that the basis for issuing a show-cause notice by a Judicial Magistrate required judicial examination.
The case arose from maintenance proceedings before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Shopian, relating to the recovery of maintenance arrears. During those proceedings, the District Collector (Deputy Commissioner), Shopian, was directed to furnish details regarding the movable and immovable properties of the respondent for recovery of the outstanding amount.
After the Deputy Commissioner sought reports from subordinate revenue officers and submitted details of the respondent’s immovable property to the trial court, the Judicial Magistrate issued a show-cause notice on July 10, 2026, proposing contempt proceedings against the Deputy Commissioner.
Hearing a petition filed by Deputy Commissioner Shishir Gupta, IAS, Justice Rahul Bharti observed that the High Court was unable to understand what deficiency in the report could amount to contempt of court. The Court noted that if the report was considered deficient, the proper course would have been to first direct the Deputy Commissioner to rectify or comply with any shortcomings before contemplating contempt action.
Finding that a prima facie case had been made out, the High Court called for the original record of the maintenance case from the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Shopian, and directed the Registrar Judicial, Srinagar, to ensure its production before the next hearing. The matter has been listed for August 7, 2026.
Pending further consideration, the High Court has stayed all further proceedings arising from the impugned show-cause notice. [KNT]
