Court waives ₹5 lakh cost after unconditional apology; compliance with 2025 order remains pending
Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has dropped suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against Pramod Natthuji Manmode, Founder and Secretary of Nirmal Ujjwal Credit Co-operative Society, after he tendered an unconditional apology before a Division Bench comprising Justice Anil Pansare and Justice Nivedita Mehta.
The High Court also waived the ₹5 lakh cost imposed on Manmode following directions from the Supreme Court.
The development came after a three-judge Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard Manmode’s special leave petition challenging the High Court’s September 1 order. The Supreme Court had requested the High Court to consider dropping the contempt proceedings, waiving the cost and removing observations that could be construed as adverse remarks against Manmode.
Acting on the Supreme Court’s directions, the High Court recalled its September 1 order and directed the Registry to release the amount to Manmode after completing the necessary formalities.
The Division Bench expressed the expectation that Manmode would comply expeditiously with the High Court’s April 29, 2025, judgment. The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 4.
Dispute Over Structures on Development Plan Road
The contempt proceedings stemmed from the alleged non-compliance with the High Court’s April 29, 2025, judgment, which directed the society to remove a sub-station, transformer, water treatment plant and other structures constructed on a 24-metre-wide Development Plan road.
The matter will continue to be monitored by the court as it considers compliance with the earlier judgment.
