Covid-era appointed healthcare workers have warned the Nagaland government that it could face contempt of court proceedings if the Cabinet does not revoke its decision to keep their regularisation “on hold.” The workers’ Joint Action Committee said the issue has already been legally settled by the Supreme Court and cannot be stalled by administrative orders.
In a statement released on Sunday, the committee said the affected employees had completed all joining formalities and that their appointments are legally valid. The committee said that any attempt to delay implementation through an executive hold is “arbitrary, ultra vires, and violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.”
The committee further said that wilful non-implementation or obstruction of a judicially settled issue could amount to contempt of court. It said continued inaction, delay or “indirect circumvention” through external pressures could expose authorities to contempt proceedings for deliberate disobedience of binding legal conclusions.
The committee urged the state administration and the Naga Students’ Federation to respect the legal process, noting that negotiations or discussions cannot override a binding court order.
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Failure to revoke the hold order and implement the decision forthwith would compel them to initiate contempt proceedings, in addition to pursuing other legal remedies available under law, it said. They also indicated that “lawful and democratic protests” could be resumed to protect their rights, livelihoods, and professional dignity.
“This is no longer a matter of policy. It is about upholding the Constitution, respecting judicial authority, and ensuring the government fulfils its responsibilities,” the statement added.
