Supreme Court Wraps Up Contempt Cases Against NCDRC Members

The Supreme Court concluded contempt of court proceedings against two National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) members who had issued non-bailable warrants against directors of a realty company despite a stay order by the top court in the case of Ireo Grace Realtech Pvt Ltd vs Sanjay Gopinath. Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah closed the case after Attorney General R Venkataramani presented the members’ fresh affidavit. While the Court advised the members to be more cautious and comply with all binding orders in the future, it expressed dissatisfaction with their actions, noting it was not merely a ‘genuine mistake.’

However, the Court also requested the NCDRC to change the panel for the concerned case. Justice Kohli emphasized that these matters should not lead to personal disputes.

Here’s what happened:

• Supreme Court reprimanded two NCDRC members for defying a March 1 order.
• Contempt of court notice issued for issuing Non-Bailable Warrants despite a stay order.
• NCDRC members Subhash Chandra and Dr. Sadhna Shanker personally appeared before the Supreme Court.
• Members submitted affidavits explaining their actions were unintentional, but the Court remained unconvinced.
• Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar represented Ireo Grace, the realty company involved.
• Case stemmed from consumer complaints regarding delays in possession of flats in Gurugram’s ‘The Corridor’ project.
• Homebuyers sought compensation through NCDRC, leading to execution proceedings against Ireo Grace.
• Ireo Grace appealed to the Supreme Court against compensation awards.
• Supreme Court granted interim protection to Ireo Grace on March 1, restraining NCDRC from coercive actions.
• Despite the order, NCDRC issued non-bailable warrants against Ireo Grace directors on April 2 for non-compliance.

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