Kerala High Court
Biju. P vs P.S Pramoj Sanker on 17 October, 2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI
&
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. V. BALAKRISHNAN
FRIDAY, THE 17TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025 / 25TH ASWINA, 1947
CON.CASE(C) NO. 1704 OF 2025
AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 02.08.2023 IN WA NO.820 OF
2023 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA
PETITIONER/S:
1 BIJU. P
AGED 45 YEARS
S/O NARAYANAN NAIR, PATHIYIL HOUSE, MANIKKASSERY
P.O, KONGAD VIA, PALAKKAD DISTRICT,, PIN - 678631
2 ANEESH KUMAR M.A
AGED 36 YEARS
S/O AYYAPPAN KUTTY.M, MANAPPATTIL HOUSE,
EDAKKURUSSI, KARIMBA POST, PALAKKAD,, PIN -
678597
BY ADVS.
SRI.V.VISAL AJAYAN
SRI.M.R.ABHILASH
SMT.DEEPA R MENON
SHRI.FRANCIS THENAMPARAMBIL
RESPONDENT/S:
P.S PRAMOJ SANKER
CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KERALA STATE
ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION, (KSRTC), TRANSPORT
BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,, PIN - 695023
BY ADVS.
SHRI.DEEPU THANKAN, SC, KSRTC
SMT.UMMUL FIDA
SMT.LAKSHMI SREEDHAR
SMT.CINDIA S.
SMT.POOJA CHANDRAN
SMT.GAYATHRI G.
THIS CONTEMPT OF COURT CASE (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 14.10.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY
DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
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2025:KER:77000
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI
&
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. V. BALAKRISHNAN
FRIDAY, THE 17TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025 / 25TH ASWINA, 1947
CON.CASE(C) NO. 2002 OF 2025
AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 02.08.2023 IN WA NO.820 OF 2023
OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA
PETITIONER/S:
1 SOORAJ C. R
AGED 37 YEARS
S/O RAMACHANDRAN C. K SARITHA NIVAS THADUKKASSERY
(PO) PALAKKAD,, PIN - 678641
2 SURESHBABU .MK
AGED 46 YEARS
S/O SIVADASAN T, THACHAM KO TT I L KANJIRAM,
POTTASSERI PALAKKAD, PIN - 678598
3 SUNIL TC
AGED 41 YEARS
S/O CHANDRAN TP THOTTATHIL HOUSE, AMBALAVATTOM
EZHAKKAD POST, PIN - 678631
4 JAYAN A
AGED 51 YEARS
S/O PADMANABHAN NAIR AAMBAZHAKKOD HOUSE, THRIKKALLUR,
POTTASSERY - II, THRIKALLUR, PALAKKAD, PIN - 678593
5 ANEESH K
AGED 41 YEARS
S/O BALAKRISHNAN K KANNITHODI (H) KULAPPADAM
KUMARAMPUTHUR PO MANNARKKAD, PIN, PIN - 678583
6 SIJU V
AGED 48 YEARS
S/O, AMBIKA AMMA, VALLIKKATTIL THOTTASSERI HOUSE,
MUNDOLLY, KONIKAZHI POST, KADAMPAZHIPURAM, PALAKKAD
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DISTRICT, KERALA, PIN - 678632
7 LISSY.R
AGED 44 YEARS
W/O ANIL KUMAR, LISSY VILASAM, AKKAL P.O,
VELINALLOOR, KOLLAM,, PIN - 691516
8 GOPINATHAN K G
AGED 54 YEARS
S/O GOPALAN NAIR CHERIYEDATH HOUSE PALLIKURUP POST
PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN - 678593
9 ABDUL RASAK K
AGED 41 YEARS
S/O ALI.K KUNNANATH (H) PALODE POST MANNARKKAD
PALAKKAD (DT), PIN - 678583
0 SAKKEENA K
AGED 42 YEARS
D/O MUHAMMED K KOLKATTIL HOUSE KOTTAPPURAM PO
SREEKRISHNAPURAM VIA PARAMBOTTUKUNNU PALAKKAD DT, PIN
- 679513
11 YOUSUF. P
AGED 45 YEARS
S/O ALI. PPALATHINGAL HOUSE T. B. ROAD, PATTAMBI, PIN
- 679303
12 UMESH PK
AGED 38 YEARS
S/O UNNIKRISHNAN PARAKKADU KUNNATH HOUSE
THATHANAMPULLY POST KULUKKALLUR VIA PALAKKAD, PIN -
679337
13 BINU ABRAHAM M A
AGED 43 YEARS
S/O ABRAHAM, MUKUDIKKATTIL (HOUSE) VAZHUMPURAM (PO) ,
KARAKURUSSI PALAKKAD (DT), PIN - 678595
14 NASSAR T
AGED 51 YEARS
S/O HASSAN GHANI THEKKENATHU THAZHE. HOUSE NELLIPATHY
AGALI PO, PALAKKAD,, PIN - 678581
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15 MUKESH K
AGED 37 YEARS
S/O KUNJEERA PADINJARANKUNNU CHERUMKULAM MANNARKKAD
PO PALAKKAD,, PIN - 678582
16 SUBRAMANIYAN. S
AGED 57 YEARS
S/O SADHASIVAN CHAKKAM THODI HOUSE VATTAMANNAPURAM
(PO) PALAKKAD(DT), PIN - 678601
17 PRASAD.O
AGED 41 YEARS
S/O MADHAVAN.O OLIPARA HOUSE SREEKRISHNAPURAM(PO)
PALAKKAD., PIN - 679513
18 RAJESH. P
AGED 35 YEARS
S/O RAMAN. P PANAMPOOZHI HOUSE EDATHANATTUKARA(PO)
ALANALLUR(VIA) PALAKKAD, PIN - 678601
19 SHABEER ALI T H
AGED 41 YEARS
S/O HAMSA, THAIKOTTIL HOUSE, YATHEEMKHANA,
EDATHANATTUKKARA, ALANALLUR - III, PALAKKAD,
KERALA ,, PIN - 678601
0 SARAVANAN V
AGED 50 YEARS
S/O VELUSEAMY R(LATE) SREEKRISHNA NIVAS CHERUNKULAM
MANNARKKAD(PO) PALAKKAD, PIN - 678582
21 SAJITH M K
AGED 47 YEARS
S/O KUTTYSANKARANMOOTHAYIL, PUNCHAPADAM,
POOVADIKUNDIL, PUNCHAPADAM, SREEKRISHNAPURAM,
PALAKKAD,, PIN - 678633
22 SHINOJ P
AGED 40 YEARS
PULIKKAL HOUSE KARKKIDAM KUNNU PO ALANALLUR VIA
PALAKKAD DT, PIN - 678601
23 RETHEESH K V
AGED 39 YEARS
S/O UNNIKRISHNAN K V KOLARKKODE HOUSE VAZHEMPURAM
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
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POST KARAKURISSI PALAKKAD, PIN - 678595
24 UDHAYA KUMAR :P K
AGED 47 YEARS
S/O KESAVAN P00LAPPARAMBIL HOUSE KARARA POST
GUDDAYOOR PALAKKAD (DT), PIN - 678581
25 PUSHPARAJ V
AGED 41 YEARS
S/O SANKARANKUTTY V VELLAKKADANMMARIL(HOUSE)
KALLADIPATTA(PO),ONGALLUR, PALAKKAD(DIST), PIN -
679313
26 SHABEER ALI T.A
AGED 44 YEARS
S/O ABOOBACKER MUKKIL HOUSE, KARIMBA PO,
MUTTIKKALKANDAM PALAKKAD DT ,, PIN - 678597
27 RAJASREE P
AGED 42 YEARS
W/OSWAMINADHAN.K KIZHAKKEKARA HOUSE
THIRUNARAYANAPURAM POST THIRUVAZHIYODE VIA PALAKKAD-,
PIN - 679514
28 SURESHKUMAR C
AGED 38 YEARS
S/O SIVARAMAN, CHINGATH PUTHAN VETTIL AZHIYANNUR (PO)
PALAKKAD,, PIN - 678633
29 BUSHARA S
AGED 50 YEARS
W/OALALIKKAL JAFAR ALALIKKAL HOUSE, ARKKUPARAMB PO
PERINTHALMANNA (VIA) MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, PIN -
679322
0 KHADAR TM
AGED 50 YEARS
S/O MUTHUPPA THANDOTTIL (H) THACHAMPARA(PO)
MACHAMTHODE PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN - 678593
31 MOHAMMED AFEEF N
AGED 37 YEARS
NAIKATH HOUSE VATTAMANNAPURAM POST PALAKKAD, PIN -
678601
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32 ABDUL SALIM
AGED 46 YEARS
KOTTAKKAL HOUSE KAIKOTTUMPALLIYAL MANNARKKAD PO
PALAKKAD, PIN - 678582
33 RADHAKRISHNAN. V
AGED 46 YEARS
S/O DAMODHARAN VATTAMPARAMBATH KANNAMKUND, ALANALLUR
PO, PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN - 678601
34 SHYAMKRISHNAN. K
AGED 40 YEARS
S/O SANTHAKUMARI KEERTHI NAVAYATH, KUMARAMPUTHUR,
MANNARKKAD COLLEGE P O, MANNARKAD PALAKKAD,, PIN -
678583
35 RAJAN,K
AGED 44 YEARS
KEERTHI NAVAYATH (H ) PALAKKAD S/O NARAYANNATHARAKAN
KOOTHAKATTIL CHUNANGAD,PO OTTAPALAM PALAKKAD, PIN -
679511
36 GIRISH K A
AGED 47 YEARS
S/O APPUNNI, AGED 47 YEARS, KADAMBOTTIL HOUSE
AZHIYANNUR PO KATAMPAZHIPURAM PALAKKAD, PIN - 678633
37 RAJI RAJ R
AGED 38 YEARS
W/O JAYAPAL, KOLLAMPARAMBIL TRIKKARUVA KANJAVELI PO
KOLLAM, PIN - 691602
38 NV PAUL
AGED 54 YEARS
NV PAUL AGE 54 S/O VARGHESE NADIYAKUZHIYIL
(H)KULAPADAM. KUMARAMPUTHOOR (PO) MANNARKKAD.
PALAKKAD DT., PIN - 678583
39 SURAJ MON P
AGED 42 YEARS
S/O SUDHAKARAN PUNCHAL (HOUSE) THIRUVIZHAM KUNNU (PO)
ALANALLUR (VIA) MANNARKKAD PALAKKAD, PIN - 678601
0 RAJESH KP
AGED 47 YEARS
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S/O CHARU K P, KUNNATHPARAMBIL, VALAMBUR, PATTIKKAD
VIA VALAMBUR, MALAPPURAM, KERALA,, PIN - 679325
41 PRAKASH P R
AGED 43 YEARS
S/O RAVEENDRAN, POKKATTETH HOUSE, KOTTATHARA,
KOTTATHARA, PALAKKAD, KERALA, 678581
42 SELVAN M
AGED 42 YEARS
S/O MANIYAN KAVUNDIKKAL, AGALI, MANNARKAD, PALAKKAD,
KERALA, PIN - 678581
43 JOTHISH JOHN
AGED 36 YEARS
S/O JOHN P C POOVAKOTTIL HOUSE, KOTTIYODE,
VIYYAKKURUSSY P. O, PALAKKAD, KERALA, PIN - 678593
44 JOBY JOSEPH
AGED 41 YEARS
S/O JOSEPH THAKIDI VELI, KANJIKUZHI, SN PURAM PO,
CHERTHALA, KANICHUKULANGARA ED, ALAPPUZHA, KERALA,
PIN - 688582
45 IRSHAD. PT
AGED 36 YEARS
S/O ABDUL RAZAK. PT, PALLIKKATTUTHODI HOUSE,
VAZHANGALLI, ALANALLUR (PO), PALAKKAD DISTRICT,, PIN
- 678601
46 MUHAMMED THAHIR T
AGED 36 YEARS
S/O ABDUL SALAM T THIYYATHALAN HOUSE, KARAKURUSSI,
PALAKKAD, MANNARKAD, KERALA, PIN - 678595
47 MUHAMED SADIQUE K
AGED 36 YEARS
S/O MUHAMMED K KADAVATH, KARINGALLATHANI, CHETHALLUR
PO, PALAKKAD, KERALA, PIN - 678583
BY ADVS.
SRI.V.VISAL AJAYAN
SRI.M.R.ABHILASH
SMT.DEEPA R MENON
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
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SHRI.FRANCIS THENAMPARAMBIL
RESPONDENT/S:
P.S PRAMOJ SANKER
CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KERALA STATE ROAD
TRANSPORT CORPORATION, (KSRTC), TRANSPORT BHAVAN,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,, PIN - 695023
BY ADV SHRI.DEEPU THANKAN
THIS CONTEMPT OF COURT CASE (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 14.10.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
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2025:KER:77000
SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI
&
P.V. BALAKRISHNAN, JJ.
..................................................................
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
.................................................................
Dated this the 17th day of October, 2025
ORDER
P.V. Balakrishnan, J.
When these contempt cases were taken up for consideration
today, the learned counsel for the respondent raised a preliminary
objection regarding the maintainability of these petitions.
2. The learned counsel for the respondent, by relying upon
Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act and the decision in Pallav
Sheth v. Custodian and Ors. [(2001)7 SCC 549], contended that these
contempt cases being filed after the expiry of a period of one year
from the date on which the contempt is alleged to have been
committed are not maintainable. He argued that as per the judgment
dated 02.08.2023, this Court has granted six months' time from the
date of receipt of the copy of the judgment, to the respondent to
effect payments as ordered therein, but the contempt cases have
been filed more than one year after expiry of the time period
stipulated by this Court.
3. On the other hand, the learned counsel for the petitioners,
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
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by relying on a Full Bench decision of this Court in Mayilswami v.
State of Kerala [1995 KHC 281] and the decision in Pritam Pal v. High
Court of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur [AIR 1992 SC 904], contended
that the power of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the High Court to
punish for contempt is not restricted or trammelled by the Contempt
of Courts Act, 1971, and their inherent power is elastic, unfettered,
and not subject to any limit. He also argued that the period of one
year mentioned in Section 20 cannot be made applicable to a case of
contempt of the High Court, since every High Court has the power to
determine questions about its own jurisdiction and has the inherent
power to punish for its contempt.
4. On an anxious consideration of the rival submissions and
the materials on record, we are of the view that there is considerable
merit in the submission made by the learned counsel for the
respondent. The judgment that gave the cause of action for filing
these contempt cases was rendered by this Court on 02.08.2023,
whereby a six-month time period from the date of receipt of a copy of
the judgment was granted to the respondent Corporation to effect
payments of the contribution amounts deducted from the salary
towards the National Pension Scheme, State Life Insurance Policies,
and Group Insurance. There is no dispute between the parties
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
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regarding the fact that both these contempt cases have been filed
after the expiry of one year from the date specified by this court for
compliance of the judgment. The Hon'ble Apex Court in the decision
in Pallav Sheth's case (supra) after considering the effect of the
provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act vis-a-vis the inherent
powers of the High Court to punish for contempt, has categorically
held that providing the quantum of punishment or even providing for
a period of limitation for initiating proceedings for contempt cannot
be considered as abrogating or stultifying the contempt jurisdiction
under Article 129 or 215 of the Constitution of India. It was also held
that the power under Article 129 or 215 should be exercised in
consonance with the provisions of a validly enacted law, and in case
of apparent or likely conflict, the provisions should be construed
harmoniously. It was further held that the proper construction to be
placed on Section 20 must be that action must be initiated either by
filing an application or by the court issuing notice suo motu within a
period of one year from the date on which the contempt is alleged to
have been committed. It is to be noted that recently, the Hon'ble
Apex Court in the decision in Shanmugam @ Lakshminarayanan v.
High Court of Madras [AIR 2025 SC 2967] had the occasion to
consider the very same issue, including the decision in Pallav Sheth's
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
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case (supra), wherein it categorically held that the contempt action
must be initiated either by filing an application or by the court
issuing notice suo motu, within a period of one year from the date on
which the contempt is alleged to have been committed. If so, in the
light of the afore dictums of the Hon'ble Apex Court, we have no
doubt in our mind that these contempt cases are filed beyond the
period of limitation prescribed under Section 20 of the Contempt of
Courts Act, 1971, and therefore, are not maintainable.
Ergo, we find no merit in these contempt cases and they are
accordingly dismissed, by leaving open the right of the petitioners to
pursue their remedies as per law.
Sd/-
SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,
JUDGE
Sd/-
P.V. BALAKRISHNAN,
JUDGE
Dxy
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
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APPENDIX OF CON.CASE(C) 1704/2025
PETITIONER ANNEXURES
Annexure A1 CERTIFIED COPY OF THE JUDGMENT PASSED BY
OF 2023 DATED 02.08.2023
Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER PASSED BY THIS
HON'BLE COURT IN CM.NO.1/2024 IN WRIT
APPEAL NO. 820 OF 2023 DATED 04.02.2025
Annexure A3 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER PASSED BY THIS
HON'BLE COURT IN IA NO.1/2024 IN WRIT
APPEAL NO. 820 OF 2023 DATED 04.02.2025
Annexure -A4 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN WP. (C) NO.
33790 OF 2022 DATED 23.03.2023
Con.Case(C) Nos.1704 and 2002 of 2025
2025:KER:77000
APPENDIX OF CON.CASE(C) 2002/2025
PETITIONER ANNEXURES
Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT IN WP (C) NO.
33790 OF 2022 DATED 23.03.2023
Annexure A2 CERTIFIED COPY OF THE JUDGMENT PASSED BY
OF 2023 DATED 02.08.2023
Annexure A3 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER PASSED BY THIS
HON'BLE COURT IN CM.APPL.NO.1/2024 IN WRIT
APPEAL NO. 820 OF 2023 DATED 04.02.2025
Annexure A4 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER PASSED BY THIS
HON'BLE COURT IN IA NO.1/2024 IN WRIT
APPEAL NO. 820 OF 2023 DATED 04.02.2025
