Allahabad High Court Initiates Contempt Process Against UP Food Secretary for Defying Arbitration Direction

The Allahabad High Court has directed initiation of contempt proceedings against Uttar Pradesh's Principal Secretary for Food and Civil Supply after finding prima facie defiance of an earlier court direction requiring a contractual dispute to be resolved through arbitration.

Background

The underlying dispute involved paddy supply, holding charges and related statutory and contractual dues. A Division Bench had earlier directed the parties to proceed before an arbitrator and required completion of the process within four months.

Legal issue and Court's reasoning

Despite that order, Principal Secretary Ranvir Prasad subsequently took the position that arbitration was not maintainable because conditions contained in certain government orders had not been satisfied.

The High Court treated that administrative stance as prima facie inconsistent with the binding judicial direction. An executive authority cannot effectively nullify an order of a competent court by relying on administrative instructions.

Result and practical consequence

The Court therefore directed that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice for registration of contempt proceedings against the Principal Secretary.

The case is next listed on October 1.