#Costs in Contempt

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that a respondent’s refusal to accept voluntarily offered maintenance payments cannot be construed as willful disobedience of a court order, and imposed ₹50,000 costs on the petitioner for abusing judicial process. This clarifies that compliance requires more than mere willingness to pay - it demands actionable cooperation, setting a critical precedent for enforcement in maintenance disputes.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court dismissed a contempt petition because the order alleged to be violated was purely advisory, not mandatory. It imposed Rs. 40,000 in costs on the petitioner for abusing judicial process, reinforcing that contempt requires clear, binding directions - not suggestions. This ruling deters litigants from weaponizing contempt proceedings against non-enforceable judicial advice.