Thiyagarajah v. Shahul Hameed and Two Others – sllr 1984 volume 1 page 098

In the case between Thyagarajah (landlord/property owner) and Shahul Hameed and two others (tenant and associates), the court addressed whether the respondents’ restoration of premises, involving the removal of unauthorized alterations while an application for an interim injunction was pending, constituted contempt of court. It was held that, as no enjoining order or interim injunction was in effect on the relevant date, the respondents’ actions did not amount to contempt. The decision reaffirmed the principle that contempt of court requires the existence of an order in force that is willfully disobeyed, and mere anticipation of a possible court order does not establish contempt. Reliance was placed on the absence of any operational court order at the time, emphasizing that parties cannot