Nagpur bench closes contempt case against Nirmal Ujjwal society founder, waives Rs 5 lakh costs

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has closed the suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against Pramod Nathuji Manmode, founder and secretary of the Nirmal Ujjwal Credit Co-operative Society. The decision came after Manmode tendered an unconditional apology before a division bench of Justice Anil Pansare and Justice Nivedita Mehta.

The High Court has also waived the costs of Rs 5 lakh imposed on Manmode. The costs had been imposed on him following directions of the Supreme Court.

The matter had reached the Supreme Court. Manmode had filed a special leave petition challenging the High Court's order of September 1. A three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard it. The Supreme Court had asked the High Court to consider closing the contempt proceedings, waiving the costs and removing remarks that could be read as adverse comments against Manmode.

Acting on these directions, the High Court recalled its September 1 order. It also directed the registry to return the amount to Manmode after completing the necessary formalities.

The division bench expressed the hope that Manmode would comply with the High Court's judgment of April 29, 2025 at the earliest. The next hearing in the case has been fixed for November 4.

The contempt proceedings arose from the alleged non-compliance with that same judgment of April 29, 2025. In it, the High Court had directed the society to remove the sub-station, transformer, water treatment plant and other structures built on a 24-metre-wide Development Plan road.

Though the contempt case has been closed, the court will keep watch on how the earlier judgment is being complied with.