The Supreme Court on Wednesday initiated contempt action against Delhi BJP chief and Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, who had allegedly broken the seal of a premises which was being run in violation of the Delhi Master Plan. A Bench led by Justice Madan B. Lokur directed Mr. Tiwari to appear before it on September 25.
“It is rather unfortunate that an elected member should try to defy the orders of this Court... it indicates a defiant attitude by the Member of Parliament,” Justice Lokur said.
The court discovered the alleged violation while perusing a report filed by the Sealing Monitoring Committee about the “rather disturbing state of affairs“.
“Taking cognizance of the Report submitted by the Monitoring Committee which discloses violation of orders of this Court and interference in the administration of justice which amounts to Contempt of Court, we issue notice to the alleged contemnor, Manoj Tiwari, returnable on September 25,” the bench ordered.
In its report, the monitoring committee has said that “despite repeated directions of this court, the members of political parties and other such persons are intentionally and deliberately violating and showing utter disgrace to the directions passed by the court for political gains”.
Amicus curiae and senior advocate Ranjit Kumar submitted that an FIR has been lodged against Mr. Tiwari for his alleged violation.