Chennai: Madras high court has summoned two serving IAS officers — S P Amrith, former director of animal husbandry and veterinary services, and his successor Krishna Unni — by issuing statutory notices on a contempt of court plea initiated against them for willful disobedience of court orders.Expressing displeasure over the causal conduct of authorities facing such contempt of court proceedings, Justice G R Swaminathan said: “Gone are those days when the very word contempt would send shivers down one’s spine. I remember a senior counsel telling me that some 20 years back, court halls used to be jampacked during contempt hearings as they were rarity. Compliance was the norm, defiance an exception.”“When Justice Battu Devanand was here (Madras HC), he put the fear of god in officials. Many judges would close contempt petitions once they report compliance even if belatedly done. Not so with Justice Battu Devanand. Even delayed compliance would not be condoned. Compliance must be strictly in consonance with the court’s order. No deviation was permitted, however slight. All of us must emulate the path shown by him,” he added.The court passed the order on a contempt plea moved by A Senthilkumar, veterinary assistant surgeon, Thiruvannamalai, against the officers. He was transferred from Dindigul to Mallavadi, Thiruvannamalai, in June 2025. From Mallavadiche, he was once again transferred to Tuticorin on Oct 17, 2025. Challenging the transfer, he approached the court. The transfer order was stayed by the court.Though the interim order was initially complied with, yet another transfer was ordered on May 14, 2026. He moved another petitioner challenging the same. On May 29, the court stayed the transfer till July 31. However, the petitioner was not allowed to rejoin, and his salary was not disbursed prompting him to move the contempt of court petition.
