AIROnline 2025 SC 761

Supreme Court Of India

Hon'ble Judge(s): B. R. Gavai , C.J.I. AND Augustine George Masih , J

Contempt of Courts Act (70 of 1971) , S.2(b)— Civil contempt - Delayed compliance of court order - Whether willful disobidience - Direction issued to bank to release outstanding dues payable to Petitioner employee within three months, was complied with belatedly - Although there was significant delay, there was no evidence of wilful or contumacious intent on part of Bank - Explanation provided by bank about administrative hurdles following a merger and difficulty of retrieving old records, was acceptable - Element of mens rea, essential for sustaining a charge of civil contempt, cannot be inferred merely from factum of delay - Considering undue delay in disbursal of dues, direction was issued to pay lumpsum amount as compensation to widow of now deceased petitioner. Constitution of India , Art.142— AIR 2004 SC 105-FollowedAIR 2006 SC 1883-Followed (Para 11 15 18 19 20 21) .....