A bench comprising Justices B N Agrawal and Aftab Alam said: “Having heard counsel for  parties perusing the affidavit filed by the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh and others and having given anxious consideration to all of them, a strong prima facie case is made out for initiating contempt proceeding.”

Asking Gupta to be present in person in the court on November 4, the court said: “Issue notice to the chief secretary to show cause why proceedings of contempt be not proceeded (with) and (the guilty) punished for flagrant violation of the orders of this court.”

The bench has taken serious note of the work in the  Ambedkar Park despite the apex court’s directive on September 8 to halt erection of the statues of Kanshiram, Ambedkar and Chief Minister Mayawati, among others.