The Supreme Court directed initiation of contempt proceedings against the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh for "flagrant" violation of its orders on stoppage of work at the construction sites for the statues and memorials in Lucknow. "Having heard the counsel for the parties perusing the affidavit filed by the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh and others and having given anxious considerations to all of them,a strong prima facie case is made out for initiating contempt proceeding," a bench comprising Justices B N Agrawal and Aftab Alam said. "Issue notice to Chief Secretary to showcause why proceedings of contempt be not proceeded (with) and (the guilty) punished for flagrant violation of the orders of this court," the bench said. The court asked the Chief Secretary to appear in person on November 4 when the contempt proceeding will be taken up. The bench directed the apex court registry to register the contempt petition in the matter. It asked Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to appear in the matter and assist it as an amicus curiae.
