The Delhi High Court has directed a company’s lawyer to distribute tea and samosas among employees of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) as a condition for waiving ₹50,000 in costs imposed earlier.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee issued the direction on September 17 while hearing an application filed by Indus Birra Beverages seeking a waiver of the costs imposed on the company in August.
The court directed the company’s counsel to provide tea and samosas to all DHCBA employees within one week. The order came while the court was considering the company’s request to remove the ₹50,000 financial penalty.
The costs had been imposed on August 20 when the company’s petition seeking the quashing of a criminal complaint was dismissed. The complaint had been filed against the company and its officials under provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act in connection with a cheque-bounce case.
The court had imposed the costs after finding that the petitioners had not fully disclosed an order passed earlier by the trial court.
Seeking relief from the penalty, the company moved an application before the High Court. Instead of retaining the financial costs, the court allowed the request subject to the unusual condition involving refreshments for DHCBA employees.
The order stated that the company’s counsel would be responsible for distributing the tea and samosas within the specified period.
The direction is part of the court’s order disposing of the company’s application. The original criminal proceedings relating to the cheque-bounce case remain separate from the waiver of costs.
The case has drawn attention because of the unusual nature of the condition attached to the waiver. Rather than requiring payment of the ₹50,000 costs, the court directed the company to provide refreshments to the employees of the Bar Association.
The matter highlights the court’s power to impose costs in legal proceedings where it finds that parties have failed to make necessary disclosures or comply with procedural requirements.
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