IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA MJC No.75 of 2009 SUO MOTU CONTEMPT AGAINST THE V.C. & REG. OF V.K.S.U ----------- 8. 10/07/2009 By a common order dated 31.7.2008 passed in C.W.J.C. No.13494 of 2004 and other analogous cases, this Court issued certain directions to the University authorities. Directions were not complied with within the time frame. A few indulgences were granted to the University authorities to comply the directions within the extended time which also they did not do. Therefore, by order dated 11.12.2008 contempt proceedings were initiated against the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the Veer Kunwar Singh University for non-compliance of the common order dated 31.7.2008 passed in the aforesaid writ applications and they were directed to file show cause. Accordingly office of this Court registered separate contempt proceedings and listed the same side by side the writ applications before this Court in a batch. Hearing proceeded in the matter on different dates and the contemnors filed their show cause in C.W.J.c.No.13494 of 2004 which they prayed to be treated as common show cause - 2 - in all the analogous matters. Finally, the matter was heard in detail on 8.4.2009 and by a reasoned order passed in MJC No.57 of 2009 which arose from C.W.J.c.No.8284 of 2008, the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the University were held guilty of contempt. Thereafter matters were adjourned for hearing on the question of punishment. After few adjournments, matters were finally heard and by order dated 30.6.2009 passed in MJC No.57 of 2009 orders of punishment have been passed against the said Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the University. This contempt matter arises out of C.W.J.C.No.15735 of 2006. Petitioner of this case superannuated with effect from 31.7.2002 from the post of Reader from H.D..Jain College, Arrah and claimed dues of post retiral benefits pending with the University. Counter affidavit and show cause have been filed in the connected writ matter. However, no show cause has been filed in this contempt matter. The show cause and the counter affidavit filed in the connected writ matter only show an - 3 - ad hoc approach by the contemnors in the matter and complete disregard to the directions of this Court to adopt the procedure for the purpose of introducing transparency, accountability and finality in the matter of calculation, ascertainment and payment of post retiral dues of the University employee. In the circumstances, the contemnors are held guilty of contempt and they are punished with one day simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs.2000/- each. The contemnors shall also bear the entire cost of litigation accrued in the matter after the order dated 11.12.2008 was passed initiating the contempt proceeding, including professional fee of the learned counsels, the cost incurred in filing affidavits/show causes and of traveling to Patna from the headquarter of the University for the purpose of contacting their counsels and taking steps in connection with this batch of cases, from their own salary in equal proportion. The contemnors - opposite parties are directed to appear before the Registrar General of this Court by 20th July, 2009 for their commitment to prison in terms of Rule 17 of - 4 - Chapter 27A of Patna High Court Rules. The contempt application is accordingly disposed of. Let a copy of this order be handed over to learned counsel for the University. Pradeep/ (J. N. Singh, J.)