NCLAT Rejects Contempt Appeal Due to Two-Year Delay in Newspaper Publication Dispute

Jitender Kumar Jain Vs Aaj Ka Anand Publications LLP & Ors. (NCLAT Delhi)

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), Delhi, dismissed an appeal challenging the order dated 18.09.2025 of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench, which had rejected a contempt application filed under Section 425 of the Companies Act, 2013. The appellant, appointed as liquidator in the liquidation proceedings of a corporate debtor, had sought initiation of contempt proceedings, including criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and imposition of penalty under Section 235A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, alleging obstruction in the liquidation process.

The allegations were based on a series of newspaper articles published in August 2023 against the liquidator. It was noted that a civil suit (Civil Suit No. 191 of 2024) had already been filed by the appellant before the Delhi High Court in relation to the same publications, and the matter remains pending.

The NCLAT observed that although the Adjudicating Authority could exercise powers under the Contempt of Courts Act while acting under Section 425, the present case did not warrant further proceedings. The Tribunal took note that more than two years had elapsed since the alleged publications and that the liquidation proceedings were still ongoing. Accordingly, the appeal was closed, clarifying that observations made would not affect the pending proceedings before the Delhi High Court.