The Delhi High Court has issued notice to Ms. Veditha Reddy for failing to comply with earlier orders on Mrs. Kawal Singh’s Dearness Allowance. She must file an affidavit within a week, with the next hearing set for 19.11.2025.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Ms. Veditha Reddy, Director, Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, in a contempt case filed by Mrs. Kawal Singh over non-compliance with earlier court directions regarding her service dues.
The matter came up before Hon’ble Justice Prateek Jalan in Contempt Case (Civil) No. 1491/2025, where the petitioner, Mrs. Kawal Singh, was represented by advocates Mr. Kirish Gandhi and Ms. Gauri Grover.
On the other side, Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, Standing Counsel for GNCTD, along with Ms. Aliza Alam, appeared for the respondent–contemnor.
The Court recorded:
“Issue notice. Ms. Aliza Alam, learned counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-contemnor.”
The Court further directed the respondent to explain her position:
“The respondent-contemnor is directed to file an affidavit within one week from today stating as to why proceedings in contempt cannot be initiated against her for violation of the order dated 16.05.2024 in W.P.(C) 14192/2023, read with the order dated 10.09.2025 in CONT.CAS(C) 1379/2025.”
The matter was then listed for compliance:
“List before the learned Registrar on 30.10.2025 for compliance.”
Finally, the Court fixed the next date for hearing:
“List before the Court on 19.11.2025.”
Background of the Case
The contempt petition arises from a long-pending dispute involving the petitioner’s service benefits. The original writ petition related to the calculation of Dearness Allowance and related dues payable to Mrs. Singh by her former employer.
On 16.05.2024, the Delhi High Court had directed the Directorate of Education to evaluate and calculate the Dearness Allowance payable to the petitioner in line with the rates prescribed under the Office Memorandum dated 07.09.2021.
The Directorate was asked to file a counter affidavit based on her last drawn salary, and the Court also permitted them to call for the records from the concerned school if necessary.
However, by 10.09.2025, the Directorate of Education had not filed the required counter affidavit. On that day, the Directorate assured the Court that the affidavit would be filed within three weeks.
The Court accepted this assurance and specifically warned that if the deadline was not met, the petitioner would be free to take legal steps.
When the Directorate still failed to comply, Mrs. Singh moved the contempt petition, CONT.CAS(C) 1491/2025, leading to the present proceedings.
Taking note of the alleged violation, Justice Prateek Jalan issued notice to the Director of Education on 08.10.2025 and directed her to file an affidavit within a week, explaining why contempt action should not be taken.
The matter will now be taken up before the Registrar on 30.10.2025 for compliance and before the Court on 19.11.2025 for further hearing.
Case Title:
Mrs. Kawal Singh v. St. Mark’s Senior Secondary Public School & Another
W.P.(C) 14192/2023
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