Mumbai: The Bombay high court directed the regional passport officer, Mumbai, to consider initiating action to revoke or impound the passport of a doctor who owns a hospital in Bhayander (E) and is in contempt of an order to pay a nurse Rs 10 lakh in place of her reinstatement.
Justice Amit Borkar passed the order on Thursday after he was informed that Dr Manoj Mazumdar is presently in the US. "If the contemnor has left the country while remaining in persistent breach of the court order and avoiding process, the matter becomes more serious," he added.
He directed that the passport authorities shall communicate with the consular channel relating to the US "so that information regarding steps taken for revocation or impounding of the passport is transmitted in accordance with law."
On Sept 13, 2023, the HC directed Ashwini General Hospital, through Mazumdar, to pay Rs 10 lakh to Veronica Pareira within four weeks and, in default, to pay 6% interest thereafter. Ramesh Ramamurthy, advocate for Pareira, informed that she is over 60 years of age and has remained without income for over 10 years.
Justice Borkar noted that on eight dates, repeated adjournments became necessary because Mazumdar "was not making himself available to the process of the court." Attempts to serve notices at the hospital were unsuccessful. Pareira was not even allowed entry to the premises for serving the notice.
Therefore, he was constrained to call upon Dr Dinesh Patil, the licensee who is running the hospital, to remain present. Patil informed that Mazumdar is in the US. He filed an affidavit, submitting financial particulars, including the hospital's bank account. The judge directed the account to be attached and the Canara Bank manager not to permit Mazumdar or any person claiming through him to operate it. He also attached the 4,200-square-foot hospital premises on the ground floor of Arunodaya CHSL, but clarified "the attachment at present does not authorise physical possession." Justice Borkar directed the revenue officer concerned to make "an entry of the attachment in relevant public records" and "affix notice at a conspicuous place in the premises so that third parties are put to notice." He took Mazumdar's mobile number on record "for future communication and tracing purposes."
Justice Borkar said on "cumulative material presently available, this court is prima facie satisfied that the contemnor has wilfully disobeyed the order dated Sept 13, 2023." There was sufficient time for compliance. "No bona fide explanation of inability is shown. Instead, the record indicates absence, concealment, and frustration of service," he added. On April 30, he shall pass further orders necessary to secure Mazumdar's presence. He directed that passport authorities shall act with "due promptness" and place a compliance report.
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CBSE 12th Result 2026Rosy Sequeira is special correspondent at The TImes of India, Mum...
Read MoreRosy Sequeira is special correspondent at The TImes of India, Mumbai\nsince July 2011. She has covered Bombay High Court for over nine years\nwhich includes her earlier stints with other newspapers. Her forte is\non-the-spot accurate reporting. She tries to bring a human face to the otherwise largely\ndrab court proceedings and constantly looks out for judicial observations \nthat strike a chord with the common man.\n
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