Summary
The Supreme Court closed proceedings against Manoj Tiwari concerning interference with a municipal seal after finding that the sealing was an independent EDMC action, unconnected with its Monitoring Committee. The Court strongly criticised the admitted seal-breaking and the explanation of crowd pressure. It also declined to proceed over statements against the Committee. The proceedings and the two Committee reports were closed without contempt punishment.
Issues
- Whether the municipal sealing had been undertaken through the Court-appointed Monitoring Committee.
- What action should follow the seal-breaking and statements against the Committee.
Held
- Notice had issued on the initial impression that tampering interfered with sealing linked to the Court’s Monitoring Committee. The hearing established that the Committee had neither directed nor participated in the sealing, which was an independent municipal action. (¶¶ 5, 9, 10)
- The Court condemned the admitted act of breaking or tampering with the seal and rejected crowd pressure as a responsible justification for an elected representative taking the law into his own hands. Possible political-party action was left to that party’s judgment. (¶¶ 11, 12, 13)
- The Court declined to proceed against the MP over the reported statements attacking the Monitoring Committee, while strongly disapproving them. (¶¶ 14, 15)
- Proceedings against the MP and Monitoring Committee Reports Nos.129 and 131 were closed. (¶ 16)
Result
Proceedings against Manoj Tiwari and Monitoring Committee Reports Nos.129 and 131 closed; no contempt punishment imposed.