CJM let off by High Court with "advise"

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18: Ferozepur Chief Judicial Magistrate was today "advised" by Justice R.L. Anand of the Punjab and Haryana High Court here "to be careful in future by showing full respect" to the Court orders. CJM D.S. Malwai was earlier directed to appear in person for explaining "as to why he should not be hauled up for contempt of court proceedings".

He had not entertained the bail and surety bonds furnished by petitioner Ashwani Kumar in complaisance with the Court’s orders pronounced on October 13, 1998, directing him to admit the latter on bail.

Kumar was booked by the Punjab Police after a case under Section 6 (1) (c) of the Punjab Excise Act was registered at Police Station Jalalabad West. In an application submitted before the High Court on December 21, 1998, the petitioner’s counsel had stated that the bail orders were not executed as the CJM had pointed out the absence of certain details, including the FIR number and the police station’s name.