109 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CACP-24-2025 (O&M) Date of Decision: 26th August, 2025 DR. SANJIV PURI .…...Appellant(s) V/s. JASPAL SINGH AND OTHERS ......Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHWANI KUMAR MISHRA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ROHIT KAPOOR Present Mr. H.S. Batth, Advocate, for the appellant. Mr. R.S. Bains, Senior Advocate, assisted by Mr. Amarjeet, Advocate, for the respondents. **** ASHWANI KUMAR MISHRA, J. (Oral) 1. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that he may be permitted to convert this Contempt Appeal filed under Section 19 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, into the Letters Patent Appeal, under Clause X of the High Court Rules and Order. 2. Prayer in that regard is allowed. Learned counsel for the appellants undertakes to furnish amended appeal within three days from today in the Registry. Registry is directed to do the needful, accordingly. 3. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that the only direction issued by the Writ Court on 22.04.2024 was to consider the representation of the respondents/Writ Petitioners, which has not only been considered, but has been disposed of by passing a speaking order dated 05.02.2025. It is further submitted that the merits of such order could have been assailed in the appropriate proceedings, but a Contempt Petition would SURESH KUMAR 2025.08.27 15:39 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CACP-24-2025 (O&M) not lie for examining the merits of the orders passed by the authority concerned. 4. Faced with the above observations, learned senior counsel for the respondent/Writ Petitioners states that instead of keeping the matter pending, it would be appropriate that this Appeal be disposed of, with liberty to the respondents/Writ Petitioners to challenge the consequential order dated 05.02.2025 in appropriate proceedings. 5. In view of the stand taken by the respondents/petitioners, as also the observations made by this Court hereinabove, with regard to maintainability of Contempt, where legality of order would require consideration, we allow the present Appeal and set aside order dated 26.03.2025 passed by the Contempt Court. However, liberty stands reserved with the respondents/Writ Petitioners, to challenge the merits of the order dated 05.02.2025, in the appropriate proceedings. 6. All pending applications, if any, in this case are disposed of accordingly. [ASHWANI KUMAR MISHRA] JUDGE [ROHIT KAPOOR] JUDGE August 26, 2025 Ess Kay Whether speaking / reasoned : Yes / No Whether Reportable : Yes / No SURESH KUMAR 2025.08.27 15:39 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document