Siddipet Collector invites wrath of HC, tenders apology

Next hearing of plea against contempt of court order on April 12

Siddipet District Collector P. Venkatrami Reddy tasted the anger of Telangana High Court on Tuesday when he failed to appear before it in an appeal filed by him against punishment in a contempt of court case. With a division bench headed by Chief Justice Hima Kohli declining to stay the punishment following his absence in the virtual proceedings, the IAS officer finally appeared before the bench towards the end of the session. The CJ declined to stay the single judge order despite repeated requests from Advocate General B.S. Prasad. “Be careful,” CJ Hima Kohli told the officer when he turned up for the court hearing through video conference. The CJ made it clear to Mr. Reddy that he was contemnor in the case and was supposed to appear before the court when the appeal came up for hearing.