Madras High Court
Rev.S.Immanuel Devakadatcham vs M.M.Rajendran on 3 February, 2021
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 03.02.2021
CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N.KIRUBAKARAN
and
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020
Rev.S.Immanuel Devakadatcham ... Applicant
Vs.
1. M.M.Rajendran
2. Prof.D.S.Luther
3. Mrs.M.E.Felix
4. Mr.J.J.R.Edwin
5. Mr.Sam Samuel ... Respondents
Prayer: These Review Applications have been filed under Order 47 Rule 1 r/w
Section 114 of C.P.C. against the common order passed by this Court in
O.S.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017, dated 11.01.2018.
For Applicant : Mr.Kemp Raj
For Respondents : Mr.S.D.S.Phillip
for Moses Jeyakaran for R-1 to R-3
Mr.AR.L.Sundaresan, Senior counsel
for Ms.Amirtapoonkodi Dinakaran for R-4
Mr.R.C.Paul Kanagaraj for R5
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
Contempt Petition No.1135 of 2019
1. M.M.Rajendran
2. Prof.D.S.Luther
3. Mrs.M.E.Felix .. Petitioners
Vs.
1. Rev.S.Immanuel Devakadatcham
2. Rt.Rev.Dr.J.George Stephen
3. Rev.Y.L.Babu Rao .. Respondents
PRAYER : Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971,
praying to punish the respondents for willful disobedience of the common order
dated 11.01.2018 in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017.
For Petitioners : Mr.S.D.S.Phillip for Mr.Moses Jeyakaran
For Respondent 1 : Mr.Kempraj
For Respondent 2 : Mr.AR.L.Sundaresan Senior Counsel
for Ms.Amirtapoonkodi Dinakaran
For Respondent 3 : Mr.R.C.Paul Kanagaraj
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COMMON ORDER
P.VELMURUGAN, J.
The first defendant in C.S.No.634 of 2015, is the review applicant in
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020. The plaintiffs in C.S.No.634 of 2015
are the petitioners in Contempt Petition Nos.1135 of 2019. The plaintiffs are
the Trustees of the St.George's Cathedral Trust and the defendants are the
Presbyter-in-charge, Bishop and Presbyter-in-charge, respectively.
2. Since both the Review Applications and Contempt Petition are
interlinked, they are taken up for final disposal by this common order.
3. Originally, the petitioners, as plaintiffs instituted the suit in
O.S.No.731 of 2012 against the defendants / respondents 1 to 3 in Contempt
Petition No.1135 of 2019 for declaration and permanent injunction. Pending
O.S.No.731 of 2012, the petitioners / plaintiffs were suspended from the
primary membership of St. George's Cathedral Church on 28.06.2013.
Subsequently, the petitioners have filed another suit in C.S.No.634 of 2015
against the defendants / respondents 1 to 3 in Contempt Petition No.1135 of
2019.
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
4. In the said suit in C.S.No.634 of 2015, the petitioners have filed an
Application in O.A.No.804 of 2015 in C.S.No.634 of 2015 for interim injunction
and this Court by an ex-parte order dated 04.08.2015, granted interim
injunction for a period of four weeks. Subsequently, the review applicant /
first defendant filed an Application in A.No.5797 of 2015 in C.S.No.634 of 2015
to vacate the interim injunction granted in O.A.No.804 of 2015 in C.S.No.634 of
2015 dated 04.08.2015. The petitioners / plaintiffs have also filed applications
in O.A.Nos.802 to 804 of 2015 and A.No.5796 of 2015 in C.S.No.634 of 2015. All
the above applications were jointly taken up by the learned Single Judge of this
Court and the learned Single Judge vide common order dated 08.08.2017,
vacated the interim injunction granted by this Court on 04.08.2015 and allowed
the application in A.No.5797 of 2015 and dismissed the applications in
A.No.5796 of 2015 and O.A.Nos.802 to 804 of 2015.
5. Challenging the above said common order dated 08.08.2017, the
petitioners/plaintiffs have filed intra Court Appeals before the Division Bench
of this Court in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017. The Division Bench of this Court,
after hearing the appeals, by common judgment dated 11.01.2018, disposed of
all the appeals with a direction to the respondents, that the petitioners should
be issued with the Cathedral Chime sheets in the form that they are presently
given without inclusion of the fact that the petitioners as the Clergy trustees,
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Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
pending adjudication of C.S.No.731 of 2012 and further the pew sheets also
should be issued to the petitioners, which would include their names and names
of their family members on auspicious days, such as, birthdays and wedding
anniversaries.
6. Being aggrieved by the said Common Judgment passed by the Division
Bench of this Court dated 11.01.2018, the defendants/respondents in Contempt
Petition No.1135 of 2019 filed Special Leave Petitions in S.L.P.Nos.12688 to
12691 of 2018 before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Subsequently, the said
S.L.Ps. filed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court were dismissed as withdrawn by
the first defendant with liberty to work out the remedies in the review petition
filed before this Court.
7. Thereafter, the review applicant / first defendant has approached this
Court by way of these Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 to review the
common judgment dated 11.01.2018 passed in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017.
Contempt Petition No.1135 of 2019, has been filed by the petitioners /
plaintiffs to punish the defendants / respondents for the willful disobedience of
the common judgment passed by the Division Bench of this Court, dated
11.01.2018 in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017.
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
8. Insofar as Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020, is concerned,
the learned counsel for the review applicant / first defendant has raised the
following submissions:-
8.1. Though the plaintiffs / respondents 1 to 3 were initially suspended
for a period of one year that a pre-condition to grant assurance and regression
to work for unity and harmony of the church, the respondents 1 to 3 had failed
to give the same for considering the revocation of the suspension, and hence,
the suspension unless it is revoked stands and deemed to be continued
subsequent to 28.06.2014 also.
8.2. The so-called trustees were already removed from the trusteeship
and as a membership as on 29.06.2013 and therefore, they are not entitled to
be issued with chimes or to include the names in the pew sheets on auspicious
days such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Therefore, the common
judgment passed by the Division Bench of this Court, dated 11.01.2008 has to
be set-aside and prayed to confirm the order passed by the learned Single
Judge, dated 08.08.2017.
9.1 per contra, the learned counsel for the respondents in Review
Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 / plaintiffs would submit that pending
C.S.No.634 of 2015, the respondents filed an application in O.A.No.804 of 2015
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Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
for interim injunction and this Court by an order dated 04.08.2015 granted an
order of interim injunction for a period of four weeks. Subsequently, on the
application filed by the first defendant in Application No.5797 of 2015, the
learned Single Judge vacated the interim injunction granted by this Court on
04.08.2015. The learned Single Judge without considering the grievance and
also averments made in the affidavit, in an advisory nature, dismissed all the
applications, however, the allegations levelled against the defendants can be
decided after leading evidence in the Suit in C.S.No.634 of 2015. However, on
appeal preferred by the respondents in Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of
2020 / plaintiffs, the Division Bench of this Court, on proper appreciation of
facts, set-aside the order of the learned Single Judge, dated 08.08.2017, and
disposed the O.S.A filed by the respondents in Review Application Nos.117 to
120 of 2020 / plaintiffs and there is no error apparent on the face of the
record.
9.2. It is also submitted by the learned counsel that originally, the
respondents in Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 / plaintiffs were
suspended only for a period of one year from 28.06.2013 and the period comes
to an end on 28.06.2014, and on the date of filing of the suit in C.S.No.731 of
2012, there was no suspension order and the membership of the respondents
1 to 3 have not been removed. The suspension period came to be ended on
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
28.06.2014 itself, even after the review applicant / first defendant failed to
include the names of the respondents / plaintiffs in the pew sheets on
auspicious days such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Therefore, the
respondents / plaintiffs instituted another suit in C.S.No.634 of 2015 and as
such, the dispute between the respondents / plaintiffs and the review applicant
is pending and pending disposal, the respondents / plaintiffs are entitled to the
relief sought for in the applications. There is no new ground to entertain the
review applications and therefore, the grounds raised in the review application
are not the legal grounds to sustain the review applications and therefore,
prayed for dismissal of review applications.
10. Submissions with regard to Contempt Petitions:
10.1. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners / plaintiffs
submitted that Initially the petitioners have filed a suit in C.S.No.731 of 2012,
before this Court. During the pendency of the said suit, the previous Bishop
V.Devasahayam suspended the petitioners on 28.06.2013, for a period of one
year, without following the due process of law or the by-laws/rules of the
Madras Diocesan Constitution of Church of South India. The said one year
period of suspension came to be end on 28.06.2014 and as such, the petitioners
were continued to be members, as there was no order extending their
suspension nor any enquiry was conducted against them.
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Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
10.2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners
further submitted that this Court, while hearing the Appeals in O.S.A.Nos.305
to 308 of 2017, vide order dated 19.12.2017, directed the petitioners to meet
the Bishop, the second respondent herein on 04.01.2018 at 11.00 a.m. at his
office, in connection with their membership issue and directed the learned
counsel for the parties to revert to this Court on 10.01.2018, as to the outcome
of the said meeting. As per the directions of this Court, the petitioners went to
the Bishop office and requested the second respondent to extend their
membership facilities as they had already assured the then Bishop of
maintaining harmony among the entire congregation and will continue to work
for the unity and peace of the Cathedral Church and protection of the trust
properties for the benefit of the members, which the then Bishop Devasahayam
did not choose to revoke during the one year period. Even after the expiry of
the one year period of suspension, viz., 28.06.2014, neither enquiry was held,
nor orders of extension was passed by the then Bishop or subsequently.
10.3. It is further contended by the learned counsel for the petitioners
that when the matter came up for hearing on 10.11.2018, the learned counsel
for the first respondent sought for an adjournment to 11.01.2008 to convince
the second respondent relating to the grant of membership. However, on
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11.01.2008, the learned counsel first respondent represented that there was no
instructions from the second respondent. Since there has been no order
continuing the suspension and also there is no dispute to the fact that the
petitioners have not been removed as members of the Church, the Division
Bench has given its findings vide judgment dated 11.01.2018, that the
petitioners can be granted copies of pew sheets in the manner they are
presently marked and their names and those of their family members can be
included in the pew sheets pending trial in the suit, as the suspension order
stood dissolved after 28.06.2014 and therefore these rights pending the suit
cannot be denied to the petitioners / plaintiffs and that whether or not the
petitioners have been acting against the interest of the Church and if so what
would be the ramification of the same would be the subject matter of the trial
in the suit in C.S.No.731 of 2012.
10.4. The learned counsel for the petitioners further proceeded to
contend that, after coming to know about the judgment passed by the Division
Bench of this Court, dated 11.01.2018, the respondents 1 and 2 herein with a
mala fide intention to overcome and override the implementation of the said
judgment in providing membership facilities to the petitioners in the said
Church have conspired together and the second respondent has fabricated
letters ante dated as 10.01.2018 and sent it on 12.01.2018 by speed-post with
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
proof of delivery, even though it is mentioned as "Registered Post with
Acknowledgment Due" to them, without any reference whatsoever to the order
dated 19.12.2017 of this Court or their meeting with the second respondent in
the presence of the first respondent, which amounts to clear suppression of
material facts. Further, the second respondent herein has illegally extended
the suspension of the petitioners from the membership for a further period of
two years with effect from 10.01.2018, alleging that he has considered their
representation sent through the first petitioner's reply dated 05.08.2013.
10.5. Adding further, on 21.01.2018, in the morning divine worship
service at St.George Cathedral Church, which began at 07.20 a.m. the first
respondent suppressing the passing of the said judgment dated 11.01.2018 by
this Court also committed the contemptuous act by stating that as instructed by
the Diocese of Madras, he was reading the second respondent's ante dated
10.01.2018 letter extending petitioners' suspension period by two years and has
put up the letters on the Church Notice Board and further added that based on
advice of their learned counsel, such extension was made by the second
respondent, thereby implicating the learned counsel also. Hence, the
petitioners were compelled to send a reply notice dated 30.01.2018, through
their counsel to the second respondent with copy to the first respondent,
requesting the second respondent to withdraw their ante dated letters dated
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Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
10.01.2018, immediately and announce the withdrawal in the Cathedral Church
through the first respondent and also the directions of this Court in its order
dated 11.01.2018. Even though the said notices were served on 31.01.2018,
there has been no withdrawal of the ante dated letter nor the illegal and void
letters dated 10.01.2018, put up on the Church Notice Board have been
removed nor the directions of this Court have been complied with, which is a
clear violation committed by the respondents 1 and 2 herein and also it shows
their total disregard and disrespect to the judgment of this Court and there is a
deliberate and willful disobedience on the part of the respondents 1 and 2 by
fabricating documents especially after coming to know about the passing of the
order against them. As such, the respondents 1 and 2 have defamed the
petitioners name before the Cathedral members by such false imputations of
acting against the Church and have caused great mental agony and suffering
apart from not providing the privileges of membership in Cathedral Church for
the petitioners.
10.6. It is also submitted by the learned counsel that the birthday of the
second petitioner came up on 21.02.2018, but his name was not printed in the
pew sheets for the Sunday dated 14.01.2018 and the Cathedral Chimes for the
months of January, 2018 and February, 2018 have not been issued to them till
date. The wedding anniversary of the second petitioner came on 20.09.2018,
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
but his name was not printed in the pew sheets for the Sunday dated
15.09.2018, for Church members to pray. Similarly, the first petitioner's
birthday came up on 12.04.2018, but his name was not printed in the pew
sheets for Sunday dated 08.04.2018.
10.7. While being so, the first respondent was transferred from Cathedral
Church and posted to Zion Church, Chintadripet, Chennai by the second
respondent with effect from 01.06.2018 and the third respondent herein was
posted to Cathedral Church. The third respondent initially made all efforts to
reconcile the issues and also to comply with the judgment of this Court dated
11.01.2018, passed in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017. Earlier, the petitioners had
filed a contempt petition against the respondents 1 and 2 herein before this
Court and after notice was ordered in Sub Application No.102 of 2018 in
Contempt Petition Sr.No.8619 of 2018, the same was dismissed as closed by
order dated 30.07.2018, based on their memo as the new Presbyter
Rev.Y.L.Babu Rao, the third respondent herein, had taken steps to restore
peace in the Cathedral Church and in compliance of the judgment dated
11.01.2018 in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017 passed by this Court, had printed
the name of the wife of the first petitioner herein in the pew sheet for the
Sunday Divine Morning Worship Service on 15.07.2018 at 07.30 a.m. Further, on
15.07.2018, Rev. Babu Rao had also personally given the first petitioner's wife a
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Cathedral Church Birthday greeting card and had assured to provide the
membership facilities to the petitioners as per the findings of this Court in its
order dated 11.01.2018 including receiving of the membership subscription.
10.8. The learned counsel for the petitioners further argued that the
petitioners have also sent their membership subscription pursuant to the order
dated 11.01.2018, finding that they continue to be members of St.George's
Cathedral Church to the third respondent who accepted the same but did not
encash the cheques nor issued any receipt for their subscription as it is
informed that even the third respondent has been compelled by the
respondents 1 and 2 and the Office Bearers of the Diocese of Madras to follow
the stand taken by the defendants in C.S.No.731 of 2012 as against the
petitioners. Despite the assurances given by the third respondent to restore
the membership of the petitioners, based on which, the earlier contempt
petition was withdrawn, further action was not taken to restore the
membership of the petitioners by the third respondent. As such, the third
respondent has also disobeyed the judgment dated 11.01.2018 of this Court by
not printing the names of the first petitioner and his wife for their wedding
anniversary which came up on 21.10.2018 in the pew sheets for Sunday dated
21.10.2018 and has not issued the Cathedral Chimes to the petitioners. This
clearly proves the contemptuous acts committed by the respondents herein in
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Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
violation of the judgment dated 11.01.2018 and the said violation continues till
now.
10.9. It is further represented by the learned counsel for the petitioners
that the petitioners are senior citizens, the first petitioner being above 83
years, the second petitioner being 72 years and the third petitioner being 74
years and this loss of stature and agony at such an age, after having achieved
high positions and social stature by their respective merit and hard work and
won social recognition and have dedicated their life for the Church, now in the
evening of their life, they are being treated in this contemptuous manner by
the respondents just to humiliate them to make them yield by withdrawing the
suits in C.S.No.731 of 2012 and C.S.No.634 of 2015 on the control and
management of the Trust property which has been all along with the trustees
and now the respondents have tried to take over illegally by unlawful means.
As the respondents have not implemented the directions issued in the judgment
dated 11.01.2018, the petitioners have filed this contempt petition to take
appropriate action against the respondents for their willful disobedience of this
Court's judgment dated 11.01.2018. If the respondents continued to disobey the
judgment passed by this Court, the petitioners will be put to severe loss and
agony and loss of reputation among the Church members for no fault of theirs.
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10.10. Therefore, the learned counsel for the petitioners prays to punish
the respondents under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 for their
willful disobedience of the common judgment dated 11.01.2018 passed by this
Court in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017.
10.11. In support of his contentions, the learned counsel for the
petitioners has placed reliance on the following judgments:-
(i) Tayabbhai M.Bagasarwalla and Anr. Vs. Hind Rubber Industries
Pvt. Ltd., and Ors reported in (1997) 3 SCC 443; and
(ii) Sabirabi Vs. B.Obula Reddy and Ors reported in 2001 (107) CRLJ
1285 AP.
11.1. Per contra, the learned counsel appearing for the respondents
1 and 3 / defendants 1 and 3 and the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the
second respondent / second defendant would submit that the petitioners were
suspended w.e.f 28.06.2013 and denied that the said period of one year
suspension had expired on 28.06.2014 and they specifically deny that the
petitioners still continue as the members as there is no order extending
suspension or any enquiry conducted against them. According to the first
respondent on 10.01.2018, the present Bishop had already suspended the
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petitioners for a period of two years from 10.01.2018 till 10.01.2020. Further
the petitioners have neither challenged the order dated 28.06.2013 as on date
nor have they challenged the order dated 10.01.2018. Further, the petitioners
have taken out another Appln.No.3473 of 2013 in C.S.No.731 of 2012, in which,
they have sought only for an interim stay of the operation of letter dated
28.06.2013, which application was also dismissed on 11.09.2015 by the learned
Single Judge of this Court and hence the suspension is still in force and holds
good and the petitioners are no more members of the St.George's Cathedral
Church, Chennai.
11.2. It is further submitted that this Court while hearing the appeals in
O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017, by order dated 08.08.2017, directed all the
petitioners to meet the Bishop, the second respondent herein and have a
meeting to settle the disputes amicably among themselves. But on the said date
and time fixed by this Court, the petitioners failed to appear for the said
meeting and a memo was filed to that effect before this Court on 19.12.2017.
Thereafter, this Court once again extended the time on 19.12.2017 and fixed
the meeting date on 04.01.2018 at 11.00 am at the office of the Bishop, the
second respondent herein and directed both the learned counsels to revert
back on 10.01.2018. According to the learned counsel in the meeting, the
petitioners did not make any request to extend their membership, but on the
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contrary, they were only arguing upon the membership and ownership of the
Cathedral Trust properties and there is no such provision for reinstallation
anywhere in the Rules of Madras Diocese or CSI or Cathedral Church
Constitution. It is also submitted that the respondents / defendants have not
requested the petitioners / plaintiffs to withdraw all the cases filed against the
Cathedral Church Management, but, advised the petitioners / plaintiffs to
repent for their misdeeds, and asked them to come with clean hands and then,
their remission will be considered.
11.3. It is further submitted by the learned counsel that in the
suspension order dated 28.06.2013, the former Bishop had specifically stated
that the petitioners were suspended from the primary membership of
St.George's Cathedral Church initially for a period of one year. The revocation
of the suspension can be considered by the Bishop on the petitioners assurance
to work for unity and harmony of the Church. According to the learned counsel
the word 'initially' is a deeming provision that was considered by the Bishop only
as a pre-condition that the petitioners should give assurances to work for unity
and harmony of Church which assurance was not given by the petitioners as on
date. Hence, the order dated 28.06.2013, is having a deeming provision to
subsist till the subsequent order dated 10.01.2018 was passed by the second
respondent. Therefore, the petitioners cannot claim the right of the
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membership facilities subsequent to expiry of the suspension period on
28.06.2014. The order of suspension dated 10.01.2018, is sufficient to consider
and the petitioners were demarcated as suspended members who, had lost the
privileges, facilities and membership of the Church.
11.4. The learned counsel for the respondents further added that the
respondents have not suppressed the passing of the order dated 11.01.2018, by
this Court and denied that they have committed any contemptuous act. The
letter dated 10.01.2018, is just and necessary and the same was put up in the
Church notice board on the same day and not as averred by the petitioners on
21.01.2018. The decision was taken on 10.01.2018, by the head of the Church
namely the Bishop in Madras, the second respondent herein, under the
Ecclesiastical jurisdiction and within its ambit. The letter dated 10.01.2018,
was affixed on the Church board on the same day and only on the next day i.e.,
on 11.01.2018, this Court passed its judgment. After the passing of the order of
suspension of the members for a period of two years by the second respondent,
they were not aware of the future order passed by this Court on 11.01.2018,
which is subsequent. Further, the present contempt petition and affidavit was
dated 10.12.2018, whereas the petitioners have already invoked their remedy
by filing a separate fresh suit in O.S.No.1302 of 2019 on the file of the learned
VI Assistant Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai even as on 09.01.2019 for the relief
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of compensation for the damages and defamation for the same cause of action
as alleged in the contempt petition, which is pending adjudication.
11.5. The learned counsel for the respondents further contended that
the petitioners have been suspended and the order pertains to two years with
effect from 10.01.2018 and that suspended member does not have the privilege
of printing of their names in the pew sheets or in the Cathedral chimes to be
issued, as per the procedural rules and by-laws of the constitution and the
Cathedral Church comes under the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction. During the
relevant period of time steps have been taken to file review petition to review
the order dated 11.01.2018, passed by this Court and also the Special Leave
Petition filed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in S.L.P.Nos.12688 to 12691 of
2018, which was filed on 20.07.2018, was dismissed as withdrawn with liberty to
work out the remedies in the review petition before this Court. The petitioners
have not given any letter to the respondents requesting that their names be
printed in the pew sheets or seeking for cathedral chimes which have to be
issued as per their claims over the rights as a non-member.
11.6. The learned counsel for the respondents further proceeded to
contend that there is no contempt as the petitioners have already filed
contempt petition and they withdrawn the same by filing a memo and the said
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contempt petition was dismissed by this Court on 30.07.2018. Therefore, this
second contempt petition is not maintainable. Further, the learned counsel
would submit that the suspended members are not entitled for any benefits and
initially the petitioners were suspended by a letter dated 28.06.2013 and the
said order has already expired on 28.06.2014. It is further submitted that this
Court passed directions in the appeal on 11.01.2018, but whereas the
petitioners suspension was extended w.e.f. 28.06.2014 on 10.01.2018 and the
same was also communicated to the petitioners and the respondents were not
aware of the judgment of this Court dated 11.01.2018 passed in the appeals.
11.7. It is also contended by the learned counsel for the respondents that
when the facts are not clear and matter of interpretation required, there
cannot be any willful disobedience, since the suspension order of the
petitioners dated 28.06.2013 were extended before this Court issued directions
in its judgment, in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017 dated 11.01.2018. Further, the
contempt petition is not at all maintainable as the same is being filed beyond
the period of limitation. The petitioners are suspended members and therefore
they are not entitled for any benefits, and therefore the non implementation of
the directions of this Court is not a willful disobedience. The action complained
of, does not constitute contempt and it is only a black mail action intended to
threaten and harass the Church administration, by the petitioners.
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11.8. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents has placed
reliance on the following judgments:-
(i) Promotee Telecom Engineers Forum and Ors Vs. D.S.Mathur,
Secretary, Department of Telecommunications reported in (2008) 11 SCC
579;
(ii) Anil Ratan Sarkar and Ors Vs. Hirak Ghosh and Ors reported in
(2002) 4 SCC 21;
(iii) B.S.N.Joshi and Sons Limited Vs. Ajoy Mehta and Anr reported in
(2009) 3 SCC 458;
(iv) Sadhu Singh and Anr Vs. R.S.Verma and Ors reported in (2002) 10
SCC 582;
(v) Malathi Das (retired) now P.B.Mahishy and Ors Vs. Suresh and Ors
reported in (2014) 13 SCC 249;
(vi) Dravya Finance Private Limited and Anr Vs. S.K.Roy and Ors
reported in (2017) 1 SCC 75;
(vii) Anup Bhushan Vohra Vs. Registrar General, High Court of
Judicature at Calcutta reported in (2011) 13 SCC 393;
(viii) Director of Education, Uttaranchal and Ors Vs. Ved Prakash
Joshi and ors reported in (2005) 6 SCC 98;
(ix) Bihar Finance Service House Construction Cooperative Society
Ltd Vs. Gautam Goswami and Ors reported in (2008) 5 SCC 339;
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
(x) Sardar Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb Vs. The State of Bombay
reported in AIR 1962 SC 853; and
(xi) B.K.Savithri and anr Vs. B.V.S.Anand and Ors reported in (2005)
10 SCC 207.
12. We have heard the learned counsel on either side and also perused
the materials placed on record.
13. Admittedly, the petitioners in Contempt Petition No.1135 of 2019 /
plaintiffs have originally filed a suit in C.S.No.731 of 2012 on the file of this
Court and subsequently, during the pendency of the said suit, the petitioners
were suspended from the primary membership of St.George's Cathedral Church
on 28.06.2013, for a period of one year and the said period expired on
28.06.2014. Subsequently, the petitioners filed another suit in C.S.No.634 of
2015, on the file of this Court. They have also filed an interim application in
O.A.No.804 of 2015 in C.S.No.634 of 2015, for an interim injunction and a
learned Single Judge of this Court vide ex parte order dated 04.08.2015,
granted interim injunction for a period of four weeks. Subsequently, the first
respondent filed an application in A.No.5797 of 2015 in C.S.No.634 of 2015 to
vacate the said interim injunction granted in O.A.No.804 of 2015 in C.S.No.634
of 2015 dated 04.08.2015 and the petitioners have also filed applications in
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
O.A.Nos.802 to 804 of 2015 and A.No.5796 of 2015 seeking other reliefs. All the
above applications were jointly taken up by the learned Single Judge of this
Court and by a common order dated 08.08.2017, vacated the interim injunction
granted by this Court dated 04.08.2015 and allowed the application in
A.No.5797 of 2015 in C.S.No.634 of 2015 filed by the first respondent herein and
dismissed the applications filed by the petitioners / plaintiffs in A.No.5796 of
2015 and O.A.Nos.802 to 804 of 2015 in C.S.No.634 of 2015. As against the said
common order dated 08.08.2017, passed by the learned Single Judge, the
petitioners have filed intra Court appeals before a Division Bench of this Court
in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017. The Division Bench of this Court after hearing
the said appeals, by a common judgment dated 11.01.2018, disposed of all the
appeals with a direction to the respondents that the petitioners will have to be
issued Cathedral Chime sheets in the form that they are presently given without
inclusion of the fact that the petitioners as the Clergy trustees, pending
adjudication of C.S.No.731 of 2012 and further directed that the pew sheets has
to be issued to the petitioners, which would include their names and names of
their family members on auspicious days, such as birthdays and wedding
anniversaries.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
Review Application:-
14.1. The present Review Applications are filed by the learned counsel,
mainly on two grounds:-
14.2. The first limb of argument of the learned counsel for the review
applicant is that though the plaintiffs / respondents 1 to 3 were initially
suspended for a period of one year that a pre-condition to grant assurance and
regression to work for unity and harmony of the church, the respondents 1 to 3
had failed to give the same for considering the revocation of the suspension,
and hence, the suspension unless it is revoked stands and deemed to be
continued subsequent to 28.06.2014 also.
14.3. This Court in paragraph No.5 has preciously considered the above
said submission and held that a bare perusal of the order passed by the second
respondent would show that the membership was suspended only for a period of
one year, subject to it being revoked earlier, upon the appellants making
entries. For better appreciation, paragraph No.5 of the impugned order is
extracted hereunder:-
5. "....we are of the view that two directions sought in
the appeal, which via the impugned order, the learned Single
Judge has declined, can be granted for the following reasons :
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
(i) The membership of the appellants was suspended vide
order dated 28.06.2013, the relevant extract of the said letter
has been reproduced by the learned Single Judge in the impugned
order. The extract reads as follows :
You are also suspended from the primary
membership of St. George's Cathedral initially for a
period of one year. However, revocation of this
suspension can be considered by the Bishop on your
assurance to work for the unity and harmony of the
Church.
(i)(a) A bare perusal of the aforementioned extract would
show that the membership was suspended only for a period of one
year, subject to it being revoked earlier, upon the appellants
making entries.
(ii). Mr.V.Raghavachari, on being queried, does not dispute
the fact that upon the period of one year having been passed,
since the order of suspension was issued, there has been no order
continuing the suspension.
(ii)(a) Mr.Raghavachari, also does not dispute the fact that
the appellants have not been removed as members of the
Church."
On 28.06.2013, suspension order came to be passed and it got expired on
28.06.2014 itself. Thereafter, the respondents have not extended the
suspension on or after 28.06.2014. However, one day prior to the Judgment
passed by the Division Bench of this Court, i.e., 10.01.2018, said to have
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
extended the period of suspension for the further period of two years and that
too, without conducting any enquiry removed the name of the petitioners from
the membership of the said Church. Further, though the respondents 1 to 3 /
plaintiffs offered their explanation, the same was rejected by the second
defendant, vide the order dated 10.01.2018. It is to be noted that admittedly,
the order of suspension was issued vide order dated 28.06.2013, for a period of
one year only. In the suspension order, it is stated that, before completion of
one year, if the respondents given assurance and regret, the same will be
revoked. According to the learned counsel for the review applicant, since the
respondents have not given any assurance within one year, the suspension order
was not revoked within the year. However, it is to be noted that after expiry
of one year, the order of suspension was not extended. Thereafter, in order to
escape from the order of this Court, after passing the order on 11.01.2018, they
have subsequently created the extension of suspension order, as if, it was
passed on 10.01.2018 itself, which is not factually or legally sustainable.
Therefore, the contention of the learned counsel for the review applicant is not
acceptable. Even assuming that the review applicant extended the order of
suspension, there is no occasion arrived to extend all of sudden, after four
years that too, when the appeals are coming for final hearing, which itself
shows that in order to avoid the decision would be rendered by this Court and
not for any other reason.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
14.4. The other limb of argument of the learned counsel for the review
applicant is that since the petitioners / plaintiffs were already removed from
the trusteeship and as a membership as on 29.06.2013, they are not entitled to
be issued with chimes or to include the names in the pew sheets on auspicious
days such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries. However, the Division Bench
of this Court has held that the petitioners will have to be issued Cathedral
Chime sheets in the form that they are presently given without inclusion of the
fact that the petitioners as the Clergy trustees, pending adjudication of
C.S.No.731 of 2012 and further directed that the pew sheets has to be issued to
the petitioners, which would include their names and names of their family
members on auspicious days, such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
Therefore, there is an error apparent on the face of the record and hence, the
Judgment passed by the Division Bench of this Court is to be reviewed.
14.5. This Court is unable to accept the above contention of the learned
counsel for the reason that the very removal of membership itself was not
admitted. At the risk of repetition, paragraph No.5 (ii) (a) of the order, the
Division Bench of this Court, has held that, Mr.Raghavachari, also does not
dispute the fact that the respondents have not been removed as members of
the Church. When the suspension order was not extended even after expiry of
one year, even on the subsequent years, there is no necessity arises to extend
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
the order of suspension all of sudden, after four years, that too, when the
appeals are in the final stage of disposal, which itself shows mala-fide intention
of the review applicant. The review applicant has not come with clean hands.
14.6. The learned counsel for the review applicant made a valiant
attempt to convince the Court to entertain this Review Application. Though the
learned counsel for the review applicant stated that there was an error
apparent on the face of the record, he could not establish the same. It is also
a well settled position of law that review is not an appeal in disguise. Review
Applicant, under the guise of these Revision Applications, wants to re-agitate
the matter once again and the same is impermissible in law.
14.7. This Court has carefully considered the submissions on either side.
This Court does not find any error apparent on the face of the order passed by
this Court in the appeals. The applicant has not approached this Court with
clean hands. The action of the applicant is nothing but, abuse of process of this
Court.
14.8. In our considered opinion that there is no error apparent on the
face of the record to exercise the power of review and we find no merit in
these Review Applications. Therefore, these Review Applications are liable to
be dismissed. Accordingly, it is dismissed.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
Contempt Petition:
15.1. According to the petitioners / plaintiffs, the respondents have
willfully disobeyed to implement the said directions given by the Division Bench
of this Court in the common Judgment dated 11.01.2018. After knowing about
the judgment of this Court dated 11.01.2018 and the consequential directions
of this Court, in the said judgment, the respondents have fabricated the letter
as if they have extended the suspension of the petitioners vide resolution dated
10.01.2018 itself and they have dispatched the said letters only on 12.01.2018,
which itself would show that after coming to know about the judgment of this
Court and the directions passed in the said judgment, the respondents have
fabricated the letter dated 10.01.2018 and extended the suspension of the
petitioners for a further period of two years with ante date, which is illegal and
willful disobedience of the judgment of this Court dated 11.01.2018 and
thereby, the respondents have committed contempt of this Court and they are
liable to be punished under the Contempt of Courts Act.
15.2. According to the respondents, the respondents were not aware of
the judgment of this Court dated 11.01.2018 and that on 10.01.2018 itself they
have extended the period of suspension of the petitioners for a period of two
years with retrospective effect and therefore there is no contempt.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
15.3. It is not in dispute that the suspension order came to be passed on
28.06.2013, for a period of one year and it got expired on 28.06.2014 itself. It
is also not in dispute that when O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017, came for hearing
on 10.01.2018, the learned counsel for the first respondent / first respondent
sought for an adjournment to 11.01.2018 to convince the second respondent
relating to the grant of membership. When the matter came up for hearing on
11.01.2008, the learned counsel first respondent represented that there was no
instructions from the second respondent and the Division Bench of this Court,
after referring the letter dated 28.06.2013, held that 'the membership was
suspended only for a period of one year, subject to it being revoked earlier
upon the appellants / plaintiffs making entries and disposed the applications'.
15.4. However, in the reply affidavit filed by respondents / defendants,
it could be seen that the second respondent, vide order dated 10.01.2018,
extended the suspension of the petitioners for the further period of two years
with effect from today (10.01.2018). It is also further stated in paragraph No.12
of the reply affidavit, that 'after the passing of the order of suspension of the
members for a period of two years by the second respondent, they were not
aware of the future order could be passed by this Court on 11.01.2018, which is
subsequently'.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
15.5. According to the learned counsel for the respondents, the
suspension period of the petitioners was already extended well before
11.01.2018 when the judgment was pronounced by this Court, i.e., on
10.01.2018 itself, as the second respondent has taken a decision to extend the
suspension of the petitioners for a period of two years with effect from
10.01.2018.
15.6. It could be seen that the so called alleged extension of suspension
period vide letter dated 10.01.2018, was dispatched to the petitioners only on
12.01.2018 by speed-post and the same is reflected at page No.185 of the typed
set of papers filed by the petitioners, where the dispatch receipt has been
attached, which clearly shows that the letter was dispatched to the petitioners
only on 12.01.2018.
15.7. Further, the petitioners, in the reply legal notice sent through their
counsel to the second respondent dated 30.01.2018, have clearly stated that
the respondents have ante dated the letter sent to the petitioners as
10.01.2018 and posted them in the early hours of 12.01.2018 by speed-post and
curiously marked copies to the counsel appearing in the said case. Further, in
the rely legal notice, it is also stated that on 21.01.2018, in the Morning Divine
Worship Service at St.George Cathedral Church, the Presbyter, who is the first
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
respondent herein, suppressing the passing of the said common judgment dated
11.01.2018 by this Court also committed the contemptuous act by stating that
as instructed by the Diocese of Madras, which is headed by the second
respondent herein, read the ante dated 10.01.2018 letter extending the
suspension period by two years of the petitioners and has put up the said letters
on the Church Notice Board.
15.8. It is pertinent to mention that if the suspension of the petitioners
were extended even on 10.01.2018 itself, the respondents would have informed
the same to their respective counsel or to the Court when the matter was taken
up before this Court on 10.01.2018 and subsequently on 11.01.2018 and this
Court has also clearly observed the same in its judgment. The postal receipt
clearly proves that only on 12.01.2018, the letters were dispatched and further
there is no materials to show that the respondents extended the suspension
order of the petitioners on 10.01.2018 itself.
15.9. For better appreciation, the order passed by the second
respondent, dated 10.01.2018 is extracted hereunder:-
"This is to inform you that I have gone through in
detail the communication from the Bishop in Madras, dated
28.06.2013 addressed to you, as well as your explanation dated
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
05.08.2013, offered by you in response to the above said
communication.
I have also perused other communications and documents
in relation to the above subject. I find that your actions are
serious in nature, spoiling the peace and harmony in St. George's
Cathedral and challenging the authority of the Diocese of Madras,
Bishop in Madras and the Church of South India Trust Association.
You have not regretted for your actions and you have not
assured me that you will work for unity and harmony of the
Church.
I do not find any other good and sufficient reason for your
actions as detailed in the Bishop's communication, dated
28.06.2013.
Hence, I am not inclined to revoke the order of suspension
and the order is extended for the further period of two years
with effect from today (10.01.2018)."
A bare perusal of the above letter, it is crystal clear that the respondents have
not extended the suspension on or after 28.06.2014, and by the above order,
extended the suspension for the further period of two years with effect from
today (10.01.2018) and that too, there was no necessity to extend the order of
suspension after four years, all of sudden, except the fact that the appeals are
coming final disposal on 11.01.2018.
15.10. Since there has been no order continuing the suspension, the
learned counsel for the first respondent has also not disputed the fact that the
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
petitioners have not been removed as members of the said Church. It is also to
be noted that the suspension order dated 28.06.2013 has not been extended
subsequently and the petitioners were also not removed from the membership
of the Church. Therefore, as the suspension order stood dissolved after
28.06.2014, the rights and benefits which the petitioners are entitled to cannot
be denied to them after 28.06.2014.
15.11. It is also to be noted that this Court vide order dated 11.01.2018,
directed the respondents to print the names of the petitioners and their
spouses in the Cathedral Church pew sheets on auspicious days, such as
birthdays and wedding anniversaries. However, it is stated in the petition that
when the first petitioner and his wife wedding anniversary came up on
21.10.2018, their names have been wantonly omitted in the pew sheet.
Further, a perusal of pew sheet, dated 14.07.2019, it could be seen that the
first petitioner's name has been printed as suspended member.
15.12. The suspension order dated 28.06.2013, expired on 28.06.2014
itself and thereafter, no further extension was made for more than four years.
Even assuming that the respondents were not aware of the judgment of this
Court dated 11.01.2018, made in the appeals in O.S.A.Nos.305 to 308 of 2017,
exactly one day prior to the judgment when the matter was taken up for
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
hearing on 10.01.2018, the learned counsel for the respondents could have
informed the Court about the letter dated 10.01.2018 extending the suspension
of the petitioners for two years. However, on 10.01.2018, at the request of the
learned counsel for the parties this Court adjourned the matter to 11.01.2018
for passing orders. If at all the suspension order was passed on 10.01.2018
itself, when the matter was taken up for hearing on 11.01.2018, either the
respondents or the counsel for the respondents might have informed the Court
about the passing of the suspension order by the second respondent on
10.01.2018. On 11.01.2018, when this Court took up the appeals for disposal,
learned counsel on either side appeared before this Court and argued the
matter, however the learned counsel appearing for the respondents have not
informed anything about the passing of the suspension order on 10.01.2018
against the petitioners and thereafter this Court disposed of the appeals giving
certain directions to the respondents as indicated above. Thus, if at all
extension of the suspension order was passed on 10.01.2018, the learned
counsel appearing for the respondents would have definitely informed the Court
either on 10.01.2018 when the matter was taken up for further hearing or on
11.01.2018 when this Court pronounced its judgment.
15.13. Therefore, it clearly shows that the respondents have not passed
the extension of suspension order on 10.01.2018. Even assuming that after four
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
years, without giving any intimation, all of a sudden when the respondents
came to know that the appeals were posted for orders, they passed the
extension order, which is deliberate and even otherwise it is to avoid the action
of this Court, shows the intention of the respondents.
15.14. The respondents without following the directions of this Court
have willfully disobeyed the judgment of this Court and further they have also
in order to frustrate the judgment of this Court dated 11.01.2018, prepared the
letter extending the suspension and tried to portray as if they have issued it
prior to the date of judgment of this Court, which clearly shows the intention of
the respondents.
15.15. The learned counsel for the first respondent / first defendant has
cited catena of decisions. There is no quarrel over the principles laid down
therein, but in the considered view of this case, the discussions referred supra,
the decisions relied on by the learned counsel for the respondents in the
contempt petition, have no application to the facts of this case.
15.16. Considering the above facts and circumstances of the case and
the materials placed before this Court and the directions issued by this Court
in the appeals and the subsequent conduct of the respondents, we are of the
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Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
considered view that the respondents have willfully disobeyed the judgment of
this Court and therefore we hold that the respondents have committed
contempt of this Court. In view of our said conclusion, the respondents are
liable to be punished under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
16. In the result,
(i) The Review Applications in Review Application Nos.117 to 120 are
dismissed.
(ii) The Contempt Petition No.1135 of 2019 is allowed and we hold that
the respondents / Rev.S.Immanuel Devakadatcham, Rt.Rev.Dr.J.George
Stephen, Rev.Y.L.Babu Rao are guilty of contempt of this Court and therefore
the respondents shall undergo three months simple imprisonment and pay fine
of Rs.1,500/- each, in default, they shall undergo simple imprisonment for a
further period of 15 days.
However, there shall be no order as to costs.
[N.K.K.,J] [P.V.,J]
03.02.2021
Speaking Order / Non-speaking order
Index : Yes / No.
Internet : Yes.
kk/rns
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
N.KIRUBAKARAN, J.
and
P.VELMURUGAN, J.
kk /rns
Review Application Nos.117 to 120 of 2020 &
Cont.P.No.1135 of 2019
03.02.2021
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
