Madras High Court has initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against a female lawyer under the charges of misleading the police about an eviction order by the High Court and an attempt to stall the eviction.
In the earlier hearing in the case, the court discovered that an advocate identified as P Bagyalakshmi had written a letter to the inspector of police in which she had lied that High Court has revoked its earlier order and police could not carry out the eviction of residents from employee quarters who are living there illegally.
Taking strict note of the incident, Justice P Velmurugan noted that the action of the advocate is an abuse of process of court. The High Court initiated a contempt proceedings against lawyer P Bagyalakshmi.
On December 3, the High Court issued an order for the eviction of the residents who are unauthorized occupants in IDPL employees township.
It was alleged that many employees are subletting their quarters to others by taking rent which are allotted to them by the government. Following the order, the commissioner had allotted a team of officials to start the eviction.
Then, advocate P Bagyalakshmi wrote a letter to the local inspector stating that the High Court has revoked its December 3 order on December 4 and therefore Commissioner of police could not enforce the orders.
Advocate Bagyalakshmi’s letter dated December 19 said, “When there is no order at all as on date and stay of eviction is granted, you cannot proceed further kindly reconsider.” The High Court came to know about the letter written by a female advocate on December 21 and stated that it had not revoked its earlier order and initiated the contempt proceedings against the lawyer.
The High Court has also directed the Registry to place the matter before the Chief Justice for the issuance of appropriate order.
