In Brief
ECL Finance Ltd sought to punish respondents for breaching a consent decree through contempt proceedings. Before the contempt petition's merits were decided, respondents appealed, challenging the Single Judge's order admitting the petition and issuing notice. The Supreme Court held that appeals under Section 19 of the Contempt of Courts Act are available only against final punishment orders, not preliminary orders issuing notice. The Court set aside the Division Bench's decision and asked the Single Judge to consolidate the execution and contempt proceedings to determine the payable amount.
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