HC issues notice to Chennai Dist Collector

Chennai, Aug 13 (UNI) The Madras High Court has issued notice to the Chennai District Collector in a contempt of court case for failing to implement its order to recover Rs 42 lakh awarded to a private complainant as compensation.

Justice P R Sivakumar ordered notice to the Collector yesterday while admitting the contempt petition filed by V C Shanmugam of Ambattur, who submitted that T K Rajendra Sha, had issued a cheque of Rs 21 lakh to him in 2003. Since it was not honoured, he preferred a private complaint before the Magistrate.

In February 2004, the Magistrate convicted and sentenced Sha for two years rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a penalty of Rs 42 lakh, which was twice the sum of the cheque amount.

However, allowing an appeal by Sha, the Additional Sessions Judge here reversed the Magistrate's ruling and acquitted him.

Shanmugam moved the High Court and obtained a favourable order directing the Collector to take steps to recover the compensation amount due to him.

When this order was not complied with despite a warrant to the District Collector, the present petition was filed by Shanmugham.

The counsel for the petitioner told the court that though a notice was issued to the District Collector on June 26, no action was taken till now to comply with the High Court order.

UNI XR ROY SW RK0935