SC asks Nirmal Ujjwal society secretary to apologise unconditionally to Bombay HC in contempt case
The Supreme Court asked the High Court to consider closing the suo motu contempt case and waiving the Rs 5 lakh costs once Pramod Manmode apologises.
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The Supreme Court has asked Pramod Natthuji Manmode, founder and secretary of the Nirmal Ujjwal Credit Co-operative Society, to tender an unconditional apology before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court in a criminal contempt case.
The order was passed by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana were also on the bench. The bench requested the High Court to consider closing the criminal contempt proceedings initiated suo motu. It also asked the High Court to consider waiving the Rs 5 lakh costs imposed on Manmode and removing the remarks casting suspicion on him.
The Supreme Court was passing the order while hearing Manmode's special leave petition, which challenges the High Court's order of September 1. It asked him to give the apology in the High Court and requested the division bench to consider these reliefs with generosity and sympathy.
The court also directed that the contempt proceedings will remain stayed until then. The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 3, 2026.
The contempt case arose from the alleged non-compliance with the High Court's judgment of April 29, 2025. In that judgment, the society was directed to remove the substation, transformer, water treatment plant and other structures built on a 24-metre-wide development plan road. Citing the society's occupation of the road, the High Court had also imposed costs of Rs 5 lakh.
During the contempt hearing, Manmode sought the recusal of Justice Anil L. Pansare, alleging bias arising from past ties and disputes involving the society. The High Court rejected the application, saying he could not produce any material in support of his allegations.
The High Court then initiated criminal contempt proceedings suo motu. It said the allegations made against the judge were baseless and could interfere with the administration of justice. Manmode then approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's order.
