SP Mahasamund issued contempt notice by HC for defying reinstatement order

 

In a stern legal development, the High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur has issued a contempt notice to Superintendent of Police, Mahasamund, Ashutosh Singh for alleged non-compliance with a court directive ordering the reinstatement of dismissed constable Narendra Kumar Yadav. The notice was issued on July 8, 2025, by Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal under Contempt Case No. 968/2025.

 

The petitioner, Narendra Kumar Yadav-a resident of Parvati Nagar, Gudhiyari, Raipur and formerly posted in Mahasamund district-was terminated from service by the police department. However, the High Court had, on February 21, 2025, set aside the termination order and directed his reinstatement. Despite a lapse of over 90 days, the reinstatement order was not executed, prompting Yadav to file a contempt petition through his counsels Abhishek Pandey and Swati Kumari.

 

The petitioner contended that officers of the Indian Police Service and Indian Administrative Service often wilfully defy High Court orders, thus subjecting aggrieved parties to prolonged harassment. Counsel cited Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, which prescribes imprisonment up to six months, a fine of Rs 2,000, or both, for wilful disobedience of court orders.

 

“Even after the lapse of court-directed timelines, SP Mahasamund continued to defy the reinstatement ruling, thereby causing mental agony and professional harm,” Yadav stated through his legal representatives, demanding punitive action under the said provision. Taking serious cognisance of the alleged disobedience, the High Court directed the issuance of notice to SP Ashutosh Singh, requiring him to file a response as per procedural norms.