New Delhi, April 15 -- Court finds no contempt in delayed appointment as Joint Secretary, the Delhi High Court held while disposing of a contempt petition alleging non-compliance of its earlier directions, even as it issued corrective directions to protect the petitioner's service rights.

Justice Sachin Datta observed that although the respondents had failed to adhere to the timeline fixed in the Court's July 26, 2021 order--requiring appointment within six weeks--they had eventually complied by issuing an appointment letter in November 2023. In view of such subsequent compliance, the Court held that the case did not warrant punitive action for wilful disobedience.

However, the Court emphasised that delayed compliance cannot prejudice t...