Delhi High Court issues contempt notice to two men for releasing dogs on local commissioner

The DelhiHigh Court has issued a contempt notice to two men for obstructing the work of a court-appointed local commissioner by releasing dogs on her when she went to inspect a property in the Mehrauli area of the Capital.

Justice Amit Bansal asked the two men to file affidavits in four weeks explaining why action should not be initiated against them for violating and wilfully disobeying judicial orders, and ordered them to be physically present in court on November 19.

In July, the court had asked the local commissioner to verify whether any construction was being undertaken at the property in the Mehrauli area.

In her report, the local commissioner, a practising advocate, submitted that when she reached the property for an inspection in terms of the High Court’s order in the case concerning a property dispute, distasteful remarks were hurled at her in an aggressive tone.

The report stated that two dogs were released from a kennel on the property and were put back in the enclosure after the head constable accompanying her intervened.

“This is a serious matter where dogs have been released on a local commissioner appointed by this court, as well as the photographer accompanying her. Along with the aforesaid report, the local commissioner has placed on record photos and videos evidencing the obstruction… in execution of the commission,” said the court in the order passed on September 18.

“The conduct of the appellants, as highlighted by the local commissioner, is a serious issue which prima facie shows that the appellants have caused obstruction in the execution of the commission appointed by this court. In this view of the matter, I deem it appropriate to issue notice to the appellants as to why action should not be taken against them under the Contempt of Courts Act,” the court said.