APHC010710932025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3329] TUESDAY,THE SIXTH DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA CONTEMPT CASE NO: 4201/2025 Between: 1. NOTI BHARGAV, S/O RAVINDRA REDDY, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS R/O ALTHURTHI VILLAGE, PODALAKUR MANDAL, NELLORE, SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER AND 1. G SAI PRASAD IAS, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI. 2. PEEYUSH KUMAR I A S, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, AP FINANCE AND PLANING DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI. 3. S DESE NAIK, SUPERINTENDENT ENGINEER, WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, IRRIGATION CIRCLE AND COMMAND DEVELOPMENT, NELLORE, SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT. 4. S DESE NAIK PERSON IN CHARGE, EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, NELLORE CENTRAL DIVISION, NELLORE, SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT. ...CONTEMNOR(S): Petition under Sections 10 to 12 of Contempt of Courts Act 1971 praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit file herein the High Court may be pleased to pleased to punish the Respondents under section 10 to 12 of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, for their willful disobedience of order dated 2 20.12.2023 passed in Writ Petition No. 17712 of 2023 on the file of this Hon'ble court and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. SIVAPRASAD REDDY VENATI Counsel for the Contemnor(S): 1. The Court made the following: 3 THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA CONTEMPT CASE NO: 4201/2025 ORDER: This contempt case is filed against the respondents for willful disobedience of the orders dated 20.12.2023 passed by this Court in W.P.No.17712 of 2023. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that this contempt case is filed alleging that orders of this Court dated 20.12.2023 are not complied with as directed by this Court. 4. On perusal of the petition filed by the petitioner that the orders of this Court were served upon the respondents on 11.06.2024. While disposing of the Writ Petition, this Court fixed six (06) weeks time period from the date of receipt of copy of the order, for release of the amount in favour of the petitioner and to comply with the orders of this Court dated 20.12.2023. If that is so, the order dated 20.12.2023 should be implemented on or before 23.07.2024. As per Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 the contempt should be filed within a period of one year from the date when the contemptuous act said to have been committed by the respondents. Therefore, the contempt case should be filed on or before 23.07.2025, but admittedly this contempt case is filed on 26.12.2025 without assigning any reasons for the delay caused at sworn affidavit filed in support of the contempt case. It is settled principle of law 4 that any delay in invoking jurisdiction of this Court under Section 20 of the Act, cannot be condoned, since the Act should be applied in strict sense. Therefore, the general principle for condonation of delay i.e., the court must be liberal, pragmatics and reasonable in allowing delay petitions is not applicable under Section 20 of the Act. 5. For better understanding Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, is extracted hereunder: “20. Limitation for actions for contempt.—No court shall initiate any proceedings of contempt, either on its own motion or otherwise, after the expiry of a period of one year from the date on which the contempt is alleged to have been committed.” 6. In view of the reasons stated above and on perusal of the Section 20 of the Act, 1971, the contempt case is not maintainable. Accordingly, the contempt case is closed. However, if the petitioner has any grievance, he can proceed with the same by initiating appropriate proceedings. No order as to costs. Consequently, Miscellaneous Petitions, if any, pending in the contempt case shall stand closed. ________________________________ VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA, J 06.01.2026 TTPPSS 5 158 HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA (closed) CONTEMPT CASE NO: 4201/2025 06.01.2026 TTPPSS