Overview
- Justice G R Swaminathan warned that contempt charges will be framed on February 2 unless officials show cause for defying the December 1 order permitting the Deepam at Deepathoon.
- The court recorded the temple EO’s undertaking to file a criminal trespass complaint against the dargah management for hoisting a flag in the Deepathoon area declared as temple property.
- The judge identified three contempt acts: disobeying the original order, invoking Section 144 to frustrate it, and resisting implementation even after the prohibitory order was quashed.
- Officials had four weeks to submit affidavits but did not file them, with the state citing the hospitalization of counsel; the court expressed displeasure at the delay.
- The bench earlier asked ASI to propose monument safeguards, the named officers have filed a writ appeal challenging the contempt move, and INDIA bloc MPs have moved an impeachment motion against the judge.