HC closes contempt proceedings against Chairman NHAI & others

High Court closed contempt proceedings filed against Chairman NHAI (National Highway Authority of India), DC Jammu and SDM Jammu South. Hon’ble Justice Rajnesh Oswal closed the Contempt proceedings against the respondents. “In view of compliance report filed by Respondent No. 2, the contempt proceedings initiated against the respondents are closed with a liberty to the petitioner to avail appropriate remedy as available under the law" , Hon'ble Justice Rajnesh Oswal concluded.

The Contempt Proceedings was filed by one Ram Prasad Shrikul of Village Najwal, Bishnah, Jammu through Advocate Ankur Sharma vide case number CCP (S) No. 85/2020. Sr. AAG Monika Kohli represented DC Jammu and SDM South who were respondents No.1 and 3 in this case where as Chairman NHAI, Respondent No. 2 was represented by Advocate Karan Sharma.

Pertinent to mention, the Petitioner Ram Prasad Shrikul through Advocate Ankur Sharma stated in the contempt Petition that Petitioner instituted a writ petition which was registered as OWP No. 121 of 2019 and the said writ petition stands disposed by the Hon’ble High Court vide its order dated 28.01.2019. The Operative part of the Order was – "In view of the above submissions made by the Learned Counsel for the parties and facts of the case, this petition is disposed off with a direction to the respondents not to change the Alignment of Ring Road and strictly adhere to the DPR (Detailed Project Report) while constructing the Stand Alone Ring Road/By Pass Road around Jammu City in the State of J&K under NHDP Phase-VII. "

Now, Keeping in view the compliance report filed by NHAI (Respondent No. 2) through Advocate Karan Sharma stating that the directions passed in the court order dated 28.01.2019 have been fully complied. The alignment of Jammu Ring Road ( NH 244 A) has never been changed by NHAI. The Contempt proceedings were closed by the Hon'ble Court with a liberty to the petitioner to avail appropriate remedy as available under law.