SC declines to grant urgent hearing to Noida CEO for non-bailable warrant

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday declined granting an urgent hearing to Noida authority’s chief executive officer (CEO) Ritu Maheshwari, against whom the Allahabad high court issued a nonbailable warrant on Friday in connection with a land acquisition case.

“Every other day, some officer will approach the court for directions, even in serious matters. If you don’t obey high court orders, you will have to face the music,” Chief Justice of India NV Ramana told Maheshwari’s lawyer, who pleaded for an immediate hearing of her appeal. The CJI added: “You are an IAS officer. You know the rules. Every day we see from Allahabad high court, there’s breach of orders. It is routine. Every day, one or the other has to come and seek permission. What is this? You don’t respect the orders of the court.”

The high court had ordered the police to arrest her and present her in court on May 13.

Justice Saral Srivastava passed the order after hearing a contempt plea filed by Manorama Kuchhal and one more person, both petitioners whose lands were acquired by the Noida authority in 1990 but have not been given any compensation as per law till date.

On April 28 this year, the court had listed the case for hearing on May 4 and directed Maheshwari to be present.

However, despite the summons, she did not attend the hearing.

“Considering the fact that the order of writ court has not been complied with despite the fact that the possession of the land of the applicants had been taken over by the Noida illegally in 1990 without paying even a penny as compensation...when the court has summoned the CEO, Noida, she did not appear before the court... This court finds that such conduct of CEO, Noida amounts to deliberate and wilful disrespect... Therefore, this court finds it to be a fit case where non-bailable warrant be issued against the CEO, Noida,” observed Justice Saral.

The petitioners alleged they kept running from pillar to post to get compensation for their land, but to no avail.

Maheshwari did not respond to repeated calls and messages seeking comment.

If you don’t obey high court orders, you will have to face the music.

NV RAMANA, CJI