Supreme court stays high court contempt proceedings against chief secretary KAP Sinha

The Supreme Court has stayed the criminal contempt proceedings pending in the High Court against Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and other officers until further orders. Additionally, any strict or coercive action in the civil contempt case has also been barred.

A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan granted this relief while hearing a petition filed by the Additional Chief Secretary. The High Court had directed the Chief Secretary to appear in person during the proceedings.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh presented arguments on behalf of the petitioner in court. The bench asked the counsel for the party seeking contempt action why they were after sending the Chief Secretary to jail and stated that such a method of exerting pressure cannot be justified at all.

The Supreme Court has asked the state administration how much money out of the DA and DR arrears can be disbursed to employees by March 31, 2027. The judges said that the government has got some time, so it should come up with a positive response. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for December 1.

The state government counsel informed the bench that old arrears of approximately Rs 13,000 crore have been inherited from the previous regime.

This dispute is related to releasing dearness allowance arrears to government employees and pensioners. The High Court had ordered immediate payment, and due to non-compliance, contempt of court notices were issued against the officers.

Nothing has yet been proved in court.

Key developments

• Supreme Court stays criminal contempt proceedings against Chief Secretary KAP Sinha
• Bar on taking strict action against officials in civil contempt as well
• Proposal for clearance of arrears by March 31, 2027 sought from Punjab government
• Next hearing in the apex court will be on December 1