Aurangabad Railway Court: Contempt DRM Nanded Over Bedbug-Infested VIP Lounge

• An Aurangabad railway court issued a show cause notice to the Divisional Railway Manager of Nanded.
• The notice concerns bedbug-infested sofas in the VIP room at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station.
• SM Aher, who was the Judicial Magistrate First Class, warned of contempt proceedings due to four months of inaction following an earlier order.
• The issue originated in May 2026 when a Bombay High Court Justice and her husband reported the pest problem.
• Judges are now reportedly forced to wait in their vehicles instead of using the designated VIP lounge.

This action by the Aurangabad railway court carries substantial implications for public officials across various administrative departments, particularly those managing public infrastructure and services.

A railway court in Aurangabad has initiated contempt proceedings against the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Nanded division, issuing a show cause notice regarding the deplorable condition of the VIP lounge at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station. The notice specifically addresses the presence of bedbug-infested sofas within the facility, a situation that has reportedly caused significant inconvenience to high-ranking judicial officials. SM Aher, who was the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) presiding over the matter at the time, explicitly warned the senior railway official of potential contempt of court action for failing to comply with previous directives.

The underlying issue first came to light in May 2026, when Justice Manjusha Deshpande of the Bombay High Court, accompanied by her husband, observed the old and pest-ridden sofas in the VIP room. Following this observation, Magistrate Aher issued an initial order on May 20, instructing the DRM to undertake pest control measures and replace the outdated seating to ensure that judges were not subjected to discomfort. This directive aimed to maintain the expected standard of facilities for judicial personnel utilizing the railway services.

Despite the clear judicial instruction, railway authorities under the Nanded division reportedly failed to take any remedial action or even respond to the court's order for a period spanning nearly four months. This prolonged inaction prompted the court to issue the show cause notice on September 19. The notice critically observed that, as a direct consequence of the persistent infestation, judges are now compelled to wait in their private vehicles rather than using the designated VIP lounge, highlighting the extent of the administrative oversight.

The show cause notice issued by SM Aher, who was the Judicial Magistrate First Class, represents a significant step in holding public officials accountable for administrative non-compliance with judicial orders. By warning the Divisional Railway Manager Nanded of contempt of court proceedings, the Aurangabad railway court underscores the serious implications of disregarding directives from the judiciary. The Magistrate's displeasure was evident, noting the lack of response and action over four months, and describing the railway's conduct as "blatant."

This incident highlights the broad reach of judicial contempt powers in India, which extend to ensuring that orders, even those concerning seemingly minor logistical or maintenance issues, are respected and implemented by public officials. The court's notice explicitly stated that the presence of bedbugs made it a "very disgusting position" for "very very important persons" like High Court Judges to sit on the sofas, leading them to use their cars instead. This strong language emphasizes the court's view on the gravity of the non-compliance.

The context further reveals that most judges assigned to the Aurangabad bench of the High Court frequently travel by train and depend on the VIP facilities provided at railway stations. The court's intervention, therefore, is not merely about comfort but about ensuring that the administrative machinery respects and facilitates the work of the judiciary, upholding the dignity of the judicial office. The issuance of such a notice serves as a reminder that public officials, including those in railway management, are not exempt from the obligation to adhere promptly and diligently to judicial directives.

This action by the Aurangabad railway court carries substantial implications for public officials across various administrative departments, particularly those managing public infrastructure and services. The Divisional Railway Manager Nanded now faces potential personal liability under contempt of court proceedings, illustrating that administrative oversight or inaction, even on matters like pest control, can lead to serious legal consequences when a court order is involved. This case reinforces the principle that judicial directives are binding and demand immediate and diligent compliance.

The incident underscores the critical importance of public officials ensuring prompt adherence to judicial orders, regardless of the perceived triviality of the issue. The court's firm stance demonstrates that administrative non-compliance, especially when it directly impacts the functioning or dignity of the judiciary, will not be tolerated. This serves as a potent warning that ignoring court orders can lead to personal accountability, moving beyond departmental responsibility to individual liability for contempt.

Ultimately, this situation highlights the judiciary's role in maintaining standards and ensuring that public services, even those intended for VIPs, are managed effectively and respectfully. The court's intervention, stemming from a complaint by a High Court Justice, emphasizes that no official is above the law and that judicial directives must be met with timely and appropriate action to avoid severe repercussions. It reinforces the accountability of public officials and the pervasive authority of the courts in India.

This incident underscores the broad reach of judicial contempt powers, even for administrative non-compliance with court orders. Public officials, including those in railway management, must ensure prompt and diligent adherence to judicial directives to avoid personal liability and potential contempt proceedings, regardless of the perceived triviality of the issue.

Source: Original reporting via local legal news.