In Brief
The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority was directed to refund excess charges to an allottee after a High Court found it had charged excessive plot rates. During contempt proceedings for non-compliance, the High Court awarded interest on the refund despite no prior order establishing entitlement to interest and the authority's claim of no interest-payment policy. The Supreme Court set aside this order, holding that in contempt jurisdiction, courts should not adjudicate substantive disputes without prior adjudication of entitlement. The matter was remitted for proper adjudication.
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