The Bombay High Court has issued a bailable warrant of ₹25,000 against former Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik due to her repeated failure to comply with court orders. Saunik is required to appear before the court on November 26, 2025. This action stems from two contempt petitions filed by Ram Arjunrao Shete and Anil Vasantrao Palande, alongside several teachers, who allege that a government decision to grant double increments to award-winning teachers has not been implemented. When these petitions were filed in 2022, Saunik was serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the General Administration Department. The court noted that despite being provided multiple opportunities, she did not respond to or comply with its directives.
The bench, comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Ashwin Bhobe, expressed dismay over Saunik’s behavior. The judges criticized her refusal to accept court notices even after her retirement, highlighting a specific instance where a bailiff’s report indicated that she obstructed the delivery of the notice. “Our judicial conscience is shocked to note that though Respondent No.1 is Smt. Sujata Saunik, the apology is tendered by Smt. V. Radha, who is not arrayed as Respondent/Contemnor… This indicates an attitude of defiance,” the court remarked in a prior order.
Moreover, the bench discovered troubling issues within the court’s registry. It was noted that a court employee had delayed the issuance of the contempt notice until after Saunik retired on June 30, 2025. The bench had recorded that the registry’s actions appeared intended to allow her to vacate her office before facing the consequences. As a result, it held Section Officer Aditya P. Satghare accountable for this procedural lapse and permitted the Registrar (Judicial-I) to initiate disciplinary action against him. The court has mandated compliance by January 15, 2026.
Original Source: https://tripurachronicle.in/national-news/bombay-hc-issues-%E2%82%B925000-bailable-warrant-against-ex-chief-secretary-sujata-saunik-over-non-compliance-with-court-orders/
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Publish Date: 2025-10-18 08:08:00
