SHIMLA: High Court of Himachal Pradesh has taken a strong stance on non-compliance of its orders and directed the Chief Secretary to the Government of H.P. to attach the salary of the Secretary (Education) within the next two days.
The Division Bench, consisting of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Bipin C. Negi, issued this order in response to two separate petitions filed by Neel Kamal Singh and Dr. Surinder Nath.
The petitioners, who are retired employees of privately run educational institutions taken over by the Himachal Pradesh government, had approached the High Court seeking financial benefits such as gratuity and leave encashment.
The Court ruled in favor of the petitioners, directing the State Government to release the entitled financial benefits. However, despite the Court's verdict, the benefits were not provided to the petitioners, leading them to approach the High Court again for the execution of the Court's orders.
Following the filing of Execution Petitions, the High Court had previously directed the concerned department to comply with the Court's order.
However, the respondents, including the Secretary (Education) to the Government of H.P., did not comply with the Court's directives despite ample opportunity provided by the Court.
Taking note of the persistent non-compliance, the High Court has now decided to take coercive measures to ensure the implementation of its order. The Bench clarified that it took a lenient view on the matter, refraining from directing the civil imprisonment or detention of the concerned Officer. Instead, the Court ordered the attachment of the Secretary (Education)'s salary until further notice.
In response to the High Court's directive, the Chief Secretary to the Government of H.P. has been tasked with ensuring the prompt attachment of the Secretary (Education)'s salary within the next two days.
This decision by the High Court sends a strong message to all officials to adhere to Court orders, emphasizing the importance of upholding justice and ensuring timely compliance with legal rulings.
