The Bombay High Court has issued contempt notices to the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) faction led by veteran actresses Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure over allegations of violating court orders while conducting the association’s elections.
The action follows a contempt petition filed by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), the umbrella organisation representing various unions in the film and television industry. The petition challenges the CINTAA elections held on October 20, 2026, alleging that the faction proceeded with the voting despite specific restrictions imposed by the court.
FWICE Challenges CINTAA Election Process
FWICE approached the Bombay High Court, questioning the validity of the internal elections conducted by CINTAA on October 20, 2026. Advocate Saveena Bedi Sachar represented FWICE during the proceedings and brought the alleged non-compliance with earlier judicial directions to the court’s attention.
Justice Aarti Sathe, while hearing the matter, observed that the respondents had failed to comply with the court’s orders dated September 11, 2026, and October 19, 2026, by holding the elections and announcing the results on October 20.
The court’s observations raised concerns about whether the election process had proceeded in disregard of the restrictions and undertakings previously placed before it.
High Court Finds Prima Facie Case of Wilful Disobedience
After considering the arguments and examining the material submitted, Justice Sathe concluded that a prima facie case of wilful disobedience and breach of undertaking had been established against the respondents.
The court subsequently directed the issuance of notices under Rule 9(1) of the Contempt of Courts (Bombay High Court Rules, 1994). The respondents have been asked to explain why proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, should not be initiated over the alleged violation of the orders passed on September 11 and October 19, 2026.
The notices require the respondents to show cause regarding the alleged wilful disregard of the court’s directions and the alleged breach of their undertaking to the court.
CINTAA Election Results Cannot Be Implemented
Alongside issuing the contempt notices, the Bombay High Court expressly restrained the respondents from acting on the elections conducted on October 20, 2026, or implementing the results announced thereafter.
The direction prevents the Poonam Dhillon–Padmini Kolhapure faction from giving effect to the disputed election outcomes while the matter remains before the court.
The respondents must now respond to the notices and explain their actions. The High Court will consider the allegations in deciding whether further action under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, is warranted.