Knowledge acquires substantial importance qua a contempt order. There is no material to either establish their knowledge on action of their subordinates, or they acted in collusion with each other. Merely because a subordinate official acted in disregard of an order passed by court, a liability cannot be fastened on a higher official in absence of knowledge. Held, vicarious liability cannot be applied.
[U.N. Bora v. Assam Roller Flour Mills Assn., (2022) 1 SCC 101]