Summary
A contempt court could not award disputed interest where the original writ order required only consideration of a demand notice. Entitlement required separate adjudication rather than an equitable addition in contempt proceedings. The interest direction was set aside with protected liberty to challenge the authority’s rejection.
Issues
- Whether contempt jurisdiction permitted awarding interest not granted by the underlying order.
Held
- Contempt ordinarily enforces an existing clear obligation rather than adjudicating a fresh substantive dispute. Here no decree or order had established interest entitlement, and the High Court could not supply that relief merely on equity in contempt. (¶ 7–8)
- The Court expressed no opinion on the merits of interest. The allottee could challenge the 20 January 2006 rejection before the appropriate forum, with delay protection if instituted within one month and a request for expeditious decision. (¶ 8–9)
Result
Appeal disposed of; High Court’s interest direction set aside. Liberty to bring a substantive challenge within one month without dismissal for delay, with disposal preferably within one year; all lawful contentions open.