UP education dept review finds over 400 contempt of court cases pending

LUCKNOW: A review conducted by the basic education department on court cases shows 175 contempt cases, where there is alleged non-compliance of court orders, and 136 pending cases where counter affidavits have not been filed.
The review revealed that 38 contempt cases from various districts are listed for hearings in the months of September, October and November.
An analysis of the pending court cases (based on the information provided by BSAs) reveals that three districts – Barabanki (25), Pratapgarh (22) and Bulandshahr (16) – have the highest number of cases where counter affidavits have not been filed. In all, there are 753 such cases.
Chaired by director general, school education, VK Anand, with support from the department’s legal consultant, DP Singh, the quarterly review showed that there are around 425 contempt cases. The top three districts with highest pending contempt cases are Saharanpur (41), Mathura (24) and Pratapgarh (20).
The DG has asked all BSAs and departmental heads to get contempt cases requiring personal appearance of principal secretary, basic education, disposed of in an effective and time-bound manner, paying maximum attention and precaution.
He has also directed all departmental heads to strictly ensure filing of counter affidavits at the earliest and to make endeavour to club and dispose of all pending contempt cases of similar nature. Officials concerned have been directed to expedite applications for quick disposal of special appeals/special leave petitions.
Among important subjects/issues under consideration in contempt cases include appointment of dependents of dying in harness, transfer, forged appointments, recognition, disciplinary proceedings, old pension, grant-in-aid and others, the review report has found. Gross financial expenditure and involvement of policy matters are among the most general difficulties faced by the department in complying with court orders, the review report said.