Chengalpattu CWC chief gets jail for contempt

The Madras High Court has sentenced the Chairman, Child Welfare Committee, Government Children Home for Boys in Chengalpattu, to undergo two months simple imprisonment and pay a fine of Rs 2,000 for contempt of court.

The CWC chairman had deliberately disobeyed the Court’s earlier orders relating to restoration of five children back to an orphanage home run by Franciscan Sisters of St Joseph in Nethaji Nagar.

Justice M Duraiswamy, who imposed the punishment, said, “The contemnor, not only committed contempt, but also his conduct proved that he abused the process of court by flouting and disobeying the orders. Despite disobeying the orders of this court, he has not even bothered to tender an unconditional apology. If the act of the contemnor is condoned and allowed to go without any punishment, it will set a bad precedence, and many will think of flouting the court orders, which cannot be permitted.”

Originally, by an order dated June 7, the Judge had directed Manikandan to restore the custody of five children back to Assissi Illam, run by the society. Since the children were between the age group of 9 and 12 years and brought up by the Illam right from their childhood, it would not be proper on the part of Manikandan to take the custody of the children suddenly, the court had held. Also, on recording the aspect that the children are studying in one of the best schools in the locality and the children have been with the Illam for nearly 12 years, the court taking into the consideration the welfare of the children had directed Manikandan to hand over the custody of the five children (back) to the petitioner before 5 pm on June 8.

As Manikandan did not comply with this order, the society, represented by its senior counsel Fr Xavier Arulraj, preferred the contempt application. Justice M Duraiswamy, who imposed the punishment, however, stayed its operation for two weeks, to enable the contemnor to prefer an appeal against his order