IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA. COPC No. 240 of 2010. Decided on: April, 21, 2011. Deep Kumar & ors. versus Ram Kumar Gautam. Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kurian Joseph, Chief Justice. The Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.K. Ahuja, Judge. For the petitioner: Mr. G.R. Palsra, Advocate. For the Respondent: Mr. Tarlok Jamwal, Advocate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Justice Kurian Joseph, C.J. (Oral) The petitioners complain that respondent has committed contempt in not having complied with the directions in the judgment dated 27.3.2008. In the judgment this Court directed the respondent to take a decision on the allotment application preferably within a period of six months from the date of service of the certified copy. According to the petitioners, the certified copy was served on the respondent on 16.4.2008. Therefore, the respondent should have decided the application on 16.10.2008. The contempt admittedly starts on 16.10.2008. If that be so, steps could have been initiated within one year in view of the limitation prescribed under Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. Under the said provision, no Court shall initiate any proceeding for contempt either on its own motion or otherwise after the period of expiry of one year from the date on which the contempt is alleged to have been committed. Admittedly, the contempt is alleged to have been committed on 16.10.2008. One year expires on 16.10.2009 and the date of filing of the contempt is 1.9.2010. Therefore, on this ground the contempt petition is liable to be dismissed. 2. However, the petitioners have grievance that the respondent has not considered the claim for allotment on merits. That grievance cannot be looked into in contempt proceedings. It is for the petitioners, if so advised, to 2 pursue the matter in appropriate proceedings challenging Annexure P-5 on merits. Without prejudice to such liberty, this COPC is dismissed. (Justice Kurian Joseph), Chief Justice. April 21, 2011. ( Justice V.K. Ahuja ), (karan/vs) Judge.