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16. As regards the order dated 07.06.2017 passed by the learned single Judge in W.M.P. No. 15036 of 2017 in W.P. No. 13856 of 2017, the learned counsel for the appellant would contend that the respondent society runs several children home of which few are registered and some are unregistered. The said Writ Petition No. 13856 of 2017 and WMP No. 15036 of 2017 were filed on 02.06.2017 and when the matter was taken up for hearing on 07.06.2017, the learned single Judge has passed an interim order directing the appellant to handover the custody of the five children to the respondent society. Out of 17 children housed in the Asisi Home run by the respondent society, 12 of them were handed over to their parents or guardians and the five children were sought to be transferred to the children home run at Magazine Road, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai  600 016. Further, these five children were born to Hindu and Muslim parents, however, they were converted as Christians which is not their religion and this is an abuse of child right. Above all, it is contended by the learned counsel for the appellant that the in order dated 07.06.2017 in W.M.P. No. 15036 of 2017 in W.P. No. 13856 of 2017 was passed by the learned single Judge in gross violation of principles of natural justice and that is the reason why the appellant was constrained to file an appeal against the same order in WA No. 670 of 2017. The appeal was preferred on the very next day namely 08.06.2017 whereby the appellant has proved that his intention is not to disobey the order passed by the learned single Judge wilfully or wantonly. Therefore, pending disposal of the writ appeal and a stay petition, the contempt proceedings ought not to have been initiated against the appellant. Further, even though the decision with respect to handing over the five children to the respondent society was collectively taken by the appellant Committee, the contempt proceedings was initiated only against the appellant in his individual capacity.

28. Before dealing with the correctness or otherwise of the order passed by the learned single Judge, which is questioned in this Contempt Appeal, we wish to observe that this Court is vested with power under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act to initiate contempt proceedings against those who violate or fail to comply with any direction or order issued. However, the powers conferred under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act are seldom invoked by this Court unlike exercise of power vested under Article 226 or 227 of the Constitution of India as well as Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which are exercised time and again to issue a Mandamus or direction. While dealing with Contempt Petitions, whenever, it is reported that an order or direction issued by this Court has been complied with, of course even after expiry of time granted for compliance of such order, this Court merely records such compliance and drops all further contempt proceedings against the Contemnor. Thus, this Court normally hesitates and remains slow in the matter of initiating contempt proceedings against a person who is complained of having violated the order passed by this Court and that is the reason why this Court is confronted with the task of disposing of burgeoning contempt petitions. At the same time, if it is noticed that an order or direction issued by this Court is flouted with impunity or there is wilful or deliberate negligence in complying with a direction or order passed by this Court, which would have the effect of eroding the majesty of this Court or to obstruct the course of judicial proceeding and the administration of justice, this Court will not hesitate to invoke the powers conferred under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts.

10. .....It was also shocking to note that the learned Single Judge obliged the respondent society's Senior counsel and the AGP and passed an order against the CWC, Kancheepuram on the date of the appellant entering appearance itself without hearing them and without even being served with a copy of the papers. The appellant submits that the learned single Judge purely and totally relied only on the submissions of the respondent society's Senior counsel which is against natural justice.

21. ......The appellant submits that as per the adjudication in W.A. No. 670 of 2017 dated 21.10.2017, the Division Bench also recorded that they will initiate contempt proceedings against him. It was a very strange situation where the appellant was facing threats of contempt proceedings being initiated against him in two different Courts in the same matter, at the same time.

45. It is needless to mention that the scope of appeal is different from that of the contempt proceedings. The appeal filed by an appellant will result in either upholding the order of the learned single Judge or reversing or modifying it. Even assuming that the order of the learned single Judge is reversed by the Division Bench, still the appellant can be proceeded with contempt proceedings for violation or disobedience of the order passed by the learned single Judge in the absence of any interim stay having been granted by the appelate Court. The scope of contempt proceedings is to ensure that stream of justice in the Country remains pure, that it's course is not hindered or obstructed by any one in any manner.