Top TTD official declared guilty of contempt of court

By A Legal Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 19. Mr. Justice Bilal Nazki of the A.P. High Court has declared and given a finding that Mr. Subba Rao, the Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam (TTD), has committed contempt of court. The judge said that the quantum of punishment will be decided on Monday, April 24.

The contemnor later executed a bond of Rs. 25,000 before the Registrar and got a breather till April 24.

The contempt case had arose from a writ petition filed by Mr. M. Subrahmanyam. He sought a direction to regularise his services with the TTD. In April 1999, Mr. Justice Nazki directed the Executive Officer to consider the case, and pass orders. When the officer did not consider the case the petitioner filed the present contempt case.

The officer then passed orders in April 2000 rejecting the case of the petitioner. The judge took exception to the manner in which the case was dealt with and sought an explanation for the delay. A reply was given claiming that he was recently appointed and, therefore, the delay had occurred. When it came to the notice of the court that he had assumed charge in January 1999, it was declared ``this is a false statement.''

Mr. Justice Nazki said: ``The respondent, no doubt, had committed contempt of court, and, therefore, I have no other option, but to convict him under contempt of Courts Act.''

The TTD filed an appeal against this and the Division Bench did not interfere with the order but posted the matter on April 24.

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Section  : Regional
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