LPA-2395-2025 (O & M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 107+230-1. LPA-2395-2025 (O & M) Date of Decision:03.09.2026 ANSHAJ SINGH, IAS AND OTHERS ...APPELLANTS VERSUS BRAHAM DEEP SINGH THROUGH HIS LR AND ANOTHER ...RESPONDENTS LPA-2396-2025 (O & M) ANSHAJ SINGH, IAS AND OTHERS ...APPELLANTS VERSUS YASH PAL AND ANOTHER ...RESPONDENTS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUVIR SEHGAL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH GAUR Present: Mr. Varun Gupta, DAG, Haryana. Mr. B.S. Rana, Senior Advocate with Mr. Nayandeep Rana, Advocate and Mr. Neeraj Mann, Advocate, for the respondents. **** SUVIR SEHGAL, J. (ORAL) 1. This order shall dispose of both the above-noted appeals as they arise out of a common judgment. For the sake of convenience, factual position is being taken from LPA-2395-2025. SHEETAL 2026.09.07 17:58 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Chandigarh LPA-2395-2025 (O & M) -2- 2. Although, a miscellaneous application (CM-6071-LPA-2026) has been filed by respondents for clarification of order dated 25.07.2025 passed in the present appeal, but on request of counsel for both the sides, main appeal has been taken up for hearing. 3. Present appeal was initially instituted under Section 19 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 and later, converted into a Letters Patent Appeal vide order dated 25.07.2025. Appellants have assailed orders dated 20.05.2025 as well as 29.05.2025 passed by learned Single Judge in COCP- 252-2025. By the impugned orders, contempt court observed that despite grant of repeated opportunities, appellants have not filed a compliance report and there was an attempt on their part to delay the proceedings. In these circumstances, learned Single Judge while adjourning the matter, imposed cost of Rs.1 lakh on alleged contemners in both contempt petitions with a direction that cost be paid to respondents. 4. State counsel has taken a stand that in deference to interim orders passed by contempt court, a compliance affidavit dated 27.05.2025, has been filed by Sh. Rajesh Jogpal, Special Secretary to Government of Haryana Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department. This position has not been disputed by Mr. Rana, learned senior counsel for the respondents, though, he asserts that this affidavit was filed belatedly. It is also his assertion that the same is not in compliance with order passed by the court. 5. Be that as it may, since the interim orders passed by contempt court have been complied with, this Court is of the view that imposition of SHEETAL 2026.09.07 17:58 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Chandigarh LPA-2395-2025 (O & M) -3- cost of Rs.1 lac upon appellants was not called for. 6. At this stage, it has been pointed out by Mr. Rana that, despite the pendency of contempt petitions for the last 1½ years, appellants are resisting payment of the dues to respondents as per terms and conditions of their appointment as laid down in Rule 8 of Haryana Food Security (Method of Appointment, Conditions of service of Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2014. 7. In view of the above situation, order imposing costs by learned Single Judge is directed to be kept in abeyance for a period of four months. As to whether the appellants have complied with the order passed by the writ court, will be examined by the contempt court. 8. With the above observation, both the LPAs along with all pending miscellaneous applications, are disposed of. (SUVIR SEHGAL) JUDGE 03.09.2026 (RAJESH GAUR) sheetal JUDGE Whether Speaking/Reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No SHEETAL 2026.09.07 17:58 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Chandigarh