Trader fined Rs 1.32crore for flouting 13-year-old SC ban on industries in residential areas

The court order came on a contempt petition filed against Gupta and public officials by the residents of Barwala village, northwest Delhi, who alleged that the businessman did not shut down the operations of his two units in the area despite the court in 2004 stating that no industry can function there.

The Supreme Court on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 1.32 crore on a businessman who flouted an earlier court order directing industries to move out of residential areas.

The Supreme Court had ordered the removal of all indutrial units from residental areas in Delhi. (Sanjeev Verma/HT file photo)

A bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar also sent the trader, Sanjay Gupta, to jail for 10 days. “People do not care about court orders. From tomorrow onwards people will care. You have two options either you pay a hefty amount and spend some time in jail or you don’t pay anything and spend a long time in jail,” the bench, also comprising Justice DY Chandrachud, said.

Gupta accepted the first option, which was to deposit a fine that was computed on the basis of Rs 1 lakh per month. Since, the pulses manufacturing unit continued for 11 years after the Apex court verdict, the fine amount was calculated at Rs 1.32 crore.

The court order came on a contempt petition filed against Gupta and public officials by the residents of Barwala village, northwest Delhi, who alleged that the businessman did not shut down the operations of his two units in the area despite the court in 2004 stating that no industry can function there. The petitioner accused government and civic agency officials of colluding with Gupta.

In his defence, Gupta submitted to the court that he had three units in the area and one of them was relocated to Bawana after an alternative plot was earmarked to him under the relocation scheme. No substitute was provided to him for the other two plots.