Shilpi Kumari Sahay vs Pradeep Narendra Bhatia
2026 Latest Caselaw 5328 Bom

Bombay High Court

Shilpi Kumari Sahay vs Pradeep Narendra Bhatia on 20 May, 2026

                                    IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                                 CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

                                              CONTEMPT PETITION NO. 291 OF 2026
                                                            IN
                                              CONTEMPT PETITION NO.594 OF 2025
BHALCHANDRA
GOPAL
DUSANE
                      Shilpi Kumari Sahay                                 .. Petitioner
Digitally signed by
BHALCHANDRA
GOPAL DUSANE
                                  Vs.
Date: 2026.05.20
20:33:13 +0530
                      Pradeep Narendra Bhatia                             .. Respondent


                      Mr. Archit Jaykar a/w Mr. Shivam Kukreja, Azeem Khan and Saloni Makhan
                      Advocates for the Petitioner.
                      Ms. Drishti S. Khurana (through VC) and Mr. Feroz Khan for Respondent.
                      Mr. Pradeep Bhatia- Respondent present in person.


                                                              CORAM : GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J.

(VACATION COURT) DATE : 20th MAY 2026.

P.C. :

1. On 13th May 2026, this Court had passed following order :-

"1. Heard Mr. Jaykar, learned counsel for the Petitioner. None appears for the Respondent.

2. Issue Notice to the Respondent returnable on 20 May 2026.

3. Mr. Jaykar, learned counsel for the Petitioner, submits that several attempts have been made to serve the Respondent privately. In this regard, he has filed an Affidavit of Service, which is taken on record. The Affidavit of Service indicates that various modes of service, including postal service and WhatsApp, have been attempted to serve the Respondent. From the Affidavit /of Service, it appears that the Respondent has been duly served. It thus appears that despite service, the Respondent is not present before the Court.

4. The urgency in the present proceedings is that the Respondent had made a statement to deposit an amount of Rs. 1 lakh with the Registry of

8 CP 291.26.doc Dusane

this Court towards reimbursement of school fees of the child, along with an additional amount of Rs. 1,76,000/-, which is also required to be deposited.

5. Mr. Jaykar submits that such deposit of fees ought to have been made in terms of the categorical directions contained in the order of this Court dated 13 February 2026, which, according to Mr. Jaykar, has not been complied with.

6. Considering the situation as narrated above, it would be just and proper to grant one more opportunity to the Respondent to appear.

7. Mr. Jaykar, shall circulate a copy of the order to the Respondent.

8. It is made clear that, in the event the Respondent once again fails to appear on the adjourned date, the Court shall be constrained to issue a Non- Bailable Warrant against the Respondent to secure the presence of the Respondent before the Court. This is in light of the fact that, on an earlier occasion, by order dated 16 January 2026, similar observations and directions were issued for securing the presence of the Respondent.

9. Stand over to 20 May 2026.

10. All concerned to act on an authenticated copy of this order ."

2. Mr. Jaykar, learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Respondent is

in deliberate and willful breach of the said order, since the Respondent has failed

to deposit the amount of Rs.1,00,000/- as reimbursement towards School fees of

the previous academic year and has further failed to deposit Rs.1,76,000/-.

3. I have heard Ms. Drishti Khurana, learned counsel for the Respondent. She

submits that the Demand draft of Rs.1,00,000/- could not be deposited on an

earlier occasion due to certain technical issues. Despite my repeated queries, no

explanation was forthcoming as to why Rs.1,76,000/- towards the half term fees

for the current academic year are not deposited. I find that the Respondent is in

breach of the order dated 13th May 2026 wherein the Respondent is not paying the

8 CP 291.26.doc Dusane

school fees of his son, who is presently studying in Class-6 at Jamnabai Narsee

International School.

4. Today, Mr. Pradeep Bhatia- Respondent, who is present in Court states that

the Demand draft of Rs.1,00,000/- has already been deposited with the Registry of

the Court and tenders a copy of the same, which is taken on record and marked 'X'

for identification. The Respondent, is directed to deposit school fees of

Rs.1,76,000/- directly with the School on or before 30th May 2026.

5. List the matter on 1st June 2026 for reporting compliance.

[ GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J. ]

8 CP 291.26.doc Dusane