Don’t misuse Ambedkar’s name, says HC to Ambedkar Development Corporation

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: While imposing a fine of Rs.25, 000 each on two officers of the Dr BR Ambedkar Development Corporation, the High Court warned them not to misuse the name of BR Ambedkar.

“Accused cannot misuse the name of the Corporation which is named after Dr BR Ambedkar, whom we call as father of our Constitution. This is how the names of great personalities are being misused,” the HC said. The division bench of the HC comprising Justice B Veerappa and Justice Venkatesh Naik T was hearing a civil contempt petition against Suresh Kumar, the managing director of the Corporation and Gunnaiah, the district manager, Chitradurga.

The Corporation had seized the vehicle of one N Babu Naik. Later it demanded Rs.33, 450 as parking charges from him. In 2019, a single judge bench of the HC held that the vehicle was parked in an open space and there was no basis for the Corporation to quantify a sum of Rs.33, 450 as warehousing charges for the Ambassador car. It had set aside the demand and ordered that Naik be allowed to take possession of the car.

Due to being parked in open space, the car had also suffered damage. However, the car was not released to Naik and he filed the contempt petition before the division bench in 2019 which gave its judgement recently. On March 23, 2023, the officers field an affidavit stating that they had issued a notice on March 20 to Naik to take possession of the car. However, the HC said it was too little too late.

“Only after filing of present contempt petition, accused have come forward to permit the complainant to take possession of the vehicle. This clearly indicates deliberate and wilful disobedience on the part of the accused. The accused have not only misused the name of Dr.BR Ambedkar, but also their attitude is nothing but daring ride on the Court which cannot be tolerated. Only under the fear of contempt, the accused have complied with the order. Hence, accused are liable to pay costs to the complainant for delay of three years in complying with the order and compelling the complainant to file the contempt petition,” it said in its judgment.

Holding the two officers guilty of contempt, the Division Bench ordered, “Accused Nos.1 and 2 are hereby directed to pay costs of Rs.25, 000 each i.e., Rs.50, 000 in total from their pocket, to the complainant within a period of two weeks from today.  If the costs of Rs.50, 000 as stated above is not paid to the complainant within two weeks from today, liberty is reserved to the complainant to file an application for revival of this Order to proceed against accused persons.”

The Court said that “In order to maintain majesty of the Court, it is necessary to direct accused persons to pay costs to the complainant, who was driven before this Court in the contempt proceedings by incurring litigation expenses, for undergoing mental trauma, apart from the damages caused to the vehicle.”