The Hindu : New Delhi News : Appearance of French nationals in court stayed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 18, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Appearance of French nationals in court stayed

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the operation of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court directing the personal appearance in court on July 24 of four French nationals in a contempt case.

A Bench of the Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice C.K. Thakker granted the stay after the special leave petition filed by the four French nationals -- French Directors of SAF Yeast Co.-- was mentioned by senior counsel Harish Salve for early hearing.

On contempt petition filed by SAF Yeast Company Private Ltd., Mumbai, the Lucknow Bench of the High Court had on May 22 directed the personal appearance of Lucien Lesalffre; Alain de Gouy; Maurice Lesaffre and Alain Laloum and asked them to show cause why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated. The applications filed by them for exemption from appearance were rejected by the High Court on July14. The present SLP is directed against this order.

The petitioners contended that the contempt petition filed by the Indian company for alleged violation of a lower court order was not maintainable besides being mala fide and motivated. They said none of the conditions before filing a contempt petition was satisfied. The High Court failed to see that the proceedings were being used for personal gain and vendetta and to pressurise the French nationals.

They said such proceedings against French nationals were an abuse of the legal process.

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