In a stern message to government departments that take court directions lightly, the Madhya Pradesh High Court at Gwalior pulled up the Municipal Corporation, Gwalior, for its "casual approach" in complying with court orders. The bench of Justice G.S. Ahluwalia, on October 7, 2025, imposed a personal cost of ₹25,000 on the Officer-in-Charge (O.I.C.), directing that it be paid from his own pocket and not reimbursed by the State.
The court's frustration was evident as it warned that failure to deposit the amount or file the required application by the next day would lead to dismissal of the review petition without any further hearing.
Background
The case Municipal Corporation, Gwalior vs. M/s Gleg Engineers Pvt. Ltd. stemmed from a pending review petition (RP No. 1079 of 2018). Earlier, on August 21, 2025, the court had directed the Corporation to serve a notice to the respondent through substituted means, as the initial attempt via registered post returned without proper endorsement.
The court had allowed one week for the Municipal Corporation to file an application under Order 5 Rule 20 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) a provision that allows notice to be served by publication when the recipient avoids personal service.
However, despite the Corporation’s office being located barely three kilometers from the High Court building, no such application was filed even after more than a month had passed.
Court's Observations
During the hearing, counsel for the Corporation conceded the delay and sought additional time. But Justice Ahluwalia was in no mood to entertain further excuses.
"The Courts are not meant for adjourning the case just for the convenience of the parties," the judge remarked sharply. He observed that the Municipal Corporation had shown total disregard to court proceedings and emphasized that such negligence could not be overlooked merely because the litigant was a government body.
The bench made it clear that mere presence of an advocate or repeated requests for more time would not save the party from consequences.
"If the Municipal Corporation could not file the application under Order 5 Rule 20 CPC even after expiry of more than one month, then it has to face the consequences of dismissal in default," Justice Ahluwalia said.
Decision
Finally, the High Court granted a last opportunity to the Corporation but only upon stringent conditions. The Officer-in-Charge was directed to deposit ₹25,000 as personal cost in the Registry of the Court by October 8, 2025, with a clear instruction that the amount shall not be reimbursed by the State.
In addition, the Corporation was ordered to file the pending application under Order 5 Rule 20 CPC by the same deadline. The court further warned that if the cost was not paid or the application not filed, the review petition would stand automatically dismissed without the need for any further order.
The matter was listed for the next hearing on October 13, 2025, subject to compliance.
Through this order, Justice Ahluwalia sent a clear reminder that procedural obligations are not optional, even for civic bodies. The ruling underlines the judiciary's growing impatience with bureaucratic indifference and its willingness to hold individual officers accountable for delays.
Case Title: Municipal Corporation, Gwalior vs. M/s Gleg Engineers Pvt. Ltd. & Others
Case Number: Review Petition (RP) No. 1079 of 2018