Supreme Court closes contempt of court case in Calcutta High Court against Andaman Chief Secretary, LG

The Supreme Court on Monday closed the contempt of court proceedings initiated by the Calcutta High Court against the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Keshav Chandra and Union Territory's (UT) Lieutenant Governor (LG), Admiral DK Joshi for failing to comply with an order of the High Court in relation to payments to be made to Daily Rated Mazdoors (DRMs) .A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra observed that in light of the UT administration having withdrawn its earlier stand, there was not merit in continuing with the proceedings..The Court was hearing a challenge to an order of the Calcutta High Court suspending the Chief Secretary and imposing a fine of ₹5 lakh on the LG..A division bench of Justices Rajasekhar Mantha and Bibhas Ranjan De of the High Court had observed that the two high functionaries had made a 'mockery' of the contempt of court proceedings initiated against them and, therefore, directed both of them to be present in court on the next date of hearing..The case arose after the High Court by an order dated December 19, 2022, had awarded a higher pay to around 4,000 DRMs in the UT.By that order, the authorities were ordered to release hiked dearness allowances to DRMs. The same had been pending since 2017.On August 3, the High Court noted that the affidavit of compliance submitted by the authorities stated nothing about framing of any scheme or the illegal and contumacious distinction sought to be drawn between the DRMs engaged against sanctioned post.The Court said that in essence, by filing the affidavits, the authorities showed audacity to challenge and reopen the issues decided before the single-judge and the division bench of the High Court, without challenging the same before a higher forum.This, the High Court said, amounted to "flagrant contempt" of the court.Accordingly, the Court direct the suspension of Chief Secretary and imposed the fine of ₹5 lakh on the LG..The next day, the order was stayed by the Supreme Court after it was mentioned by Attorney General of India R Venkataramani.Today, the Court after examining the affidavits filed by the parties, found that in supersession of the material before the High Court, the UT administration had issued orders on August 10 and withdrawn its earlier stand. The administration informed the apex court that enhanced wages will be applicable from September 2017 and that it has requisitioned funds for the same. The scheme will be framed as per the statement before the Division Bench of the High Court, the administration stated.Hence, the Supreme Court observed that there was no merit in carrying on with the contempt case and closed the same.It, however, directed the Andaman administration to ensure compliance with the Court's order by November 30.