In Brief
A government authority (PUDA) charged a property allottee at excessive rates. The High Court reduced the rate and ordered refund, but refused to order interest. When the allottee filed a contempt petition, the High Court granted interest at 15% p.a. on equitable grounds, citing the authority's wrongdoing. The Supreme Court set aside this order, holding that contempt jurisdiction cannot adjudicate substantive disputes about entitlement. The Court directed that the question of interest be properly adjudicated through an appropriate forum on the merits before any relief could be granted.
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