Punjab & Haryana HC Slaps ₹50K Cost on Litigant for Forum Shopping, Misusing Contempt Law

The Punjab & Haryana High Court imposed a ₹50,000 cost on a litigant for filing a frivolous contempt plea and engaging in forum shopping.

The petitioner claimed unlawful water disconnection, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Rajeeb Kalita v. Union of India. The Court found the issue purely civil and outside its contempt jurisdiction, noting the petitioner ignored repeated directions to seek civil remedies.

Citing Dalip Singh v. State of UP, the Court condemned the misuse of judicial processes. 

The cost will be donated to the High Court Bar Association for renovating the Women’s Bar Room, serving as a deterrent against similar conduct.

[Payal Chaudhary v. KAP Sinha IAS and others]