AP: One-day sit-in punishment to assembly secretary for contempt of court

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has sentenced Assembly Secretary P. Balakrishnamacharyulu to sit for a day in court and pay a fine of `1,000 for contempt of court.

The High Court had, in 2017, ordered initiation of efforts to pay increments and wages to typists and office assistants in the Assembly. This order was not implemented and the employees filed a contempt of court petition. Responding to this, the court expressed its displeasure and directed the finance principal secretary, Shamsheer Singh Rawat, pay and accounts officer Mohana Rao and Balakrishmacharyulu to appear before it in person and file affidavits as to why no action was taken.

In the course of hearing the case and after examining the affidavits, Justice B. Devanand held the Assembly secretary responsible for the delay. He failed to submit bills pertaining to the employees to the pay and accounts officer.

The judge asked him to explain why no action should be taken against him for contempt of court. The secretary said he failed to implement the court order unintentionally. The judge was not satisfied with this answer.

Justice. Devanand issued the order imposing a month’s simple imprisonment and a fine of `1,000 on the Assembly secretary. The official tendered an apology to the judge and sought relief on humanitarian grounds. He said he was 60 years old and having health problems.

The judge thereon amended the order and imposed a one-day punishment. The secretary must sit in the court hall until the session is concluded for the day, the court ordered.