Heritage Flowers Limited director, Mr. Riyaz Punjani, has been sentenced to three months in prison or a fine of KSh 300,000 after the High Court found him guilty of contempt of court.
The ruling, delivered by Lady Justice Njoki Mwangi of the Commercial Division, concluded that Mr. Punjani had deliberately disobeyed lawful court orders, undermining the authority of the judiciary.
“Contempt of court is a grave offence. The deliberate defiance of judicial authority cannot and will not be tolerated,” Justice Mwangi said in her judgment.
The contempt case dates back to November 8, 2021, when Justice Chacha Mwita ordered Punjani to sign cheques required for the smooth running of Heritage Flowers. Despite repeated reminders, he declined to comply.
The matter resurfaced in October 2023 after Punjani allegedly refused to sign his co-director Mr. Shailesh Rai Kumar’s September salary cheque, once again prompting legal action. The court renewed its directive, but Punjani stood his ground, leading to his conviction.
Mr. Kumar, speaking after the ruling, condemned Punjani’s conduct, saying it “reflected a troubling disregard for the rule of law” and undermined the principles of corporate accountability.
Court records show that Punjani’s lawyer failed to demonstrate that the non-compliance was accidental or excusable. The court, therefore, determined that his defiance was willful.
The ruling sends a strong signal that the judiciary will not hesitate to enforce accountability, even against powerful individuals in the business community.
“This judgment reaffirms the principle that no individual, regardless of their status, stands above the law,” Justice Mwangi added.