Staff Reporter THE Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, on Thursday, dropped the suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against Pramod Natthuji Manmode, Founder and Secretary of Nirmal Ujjwal Credit Co. Op Society, after he tendered an unconditional apology before the Division Bench of Justice Anil Pansare and Justice Nivedita Mehta. The High Court also waived the cost of Rs 5 lakh imposed on him as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

 

A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana had passed an order while hearing Manmode’s special leave petition challenging the High Court’s September 1 order requesting the High Court to show magnanimity and sympathy for the purpose of dropping the suo motu criminal contempt proceedings, waiving the cost of Rs 5 lakh and removing any observations that might be construed as an aspersion on the petitioner. Acting on the SC directive, the Division Bench recalled its September 1 order and asked the Registry to release the amount to Manmode after necessary process. The bench observed that it expected good sense to prevail over Manmode’s mind and he would expeditiously comply judgement dated April 29, 2025. The matter has now been listed for hearing on November 4. The High Court had initiated contempt proceedings over non-compliance with its April 29, 2025, judgement directing the society to remove a sub-station, transformer, water treatment plant and other structures built on a 24 metre wide Development Plan road.