The directors of Bank of Baroda (Kenya) Limited could face contempt proceedings over allegations that the bank acted in breach of existing High Court orders in a long-running dispute with Infinity Industrial Park Limited.
The dispute has taken a fresh turn after the High Court allowed an application seeking to restore the status quo that existed before the bank allegedly moved to take control of the company.
In directions issued on August 26, 2026, Justice Peter Mulwa allowed Prayer 3 of an application filed by the interested party, pending further directions on September 1. The court also directed the respondents to be served and file their responses within three days.
Infinity Industrial Park Limited is seeking restoration of the status quo as it stood on July 31, 2026. If maintained, the order allows the company, its directors, management and employees to continue operating as they did before the disputed actions.
The application follows an alleged attempt by Bank of Baroda to place Infinity Industrial Park under administration.
According to court documents, the bank issued an insolvency notice on August 10, 2026, purporting to appoint Ponangipalli Venkata Ramana Rao and Swaroop Rao Ponangipalli as joint administrators of the company.
The two individuals subsequently took steps to assume control of the company’s affairs and demanded access to its assets, title documents, books and other records.
Infinity Industrial Park has challenged the move, arguing that it was undertaken in breach of orders previously issued by the High Court.
The legal dispute dates back to September 8, 2025, when the High Court entered default judgement in favour of Infinity Industrial Park after Bank of Baroda failed to file its defence within the timelines set by the court.
Among the orders issued was a permanent injunction restraining the bank, its employees, agents and anyone acting under its instructions from selling, disposing of, taking possession of, appointing receivers or administrators over, or otherwise interfering with LR No. 31978 (Original No. 11522), Nairobi, Njiru, along the Eastern Bypass.
Bank of Baroda subsequently applied to have the judgement set aside.
However, that application was dismissed on July 31, 2026. The court found that the bank had participated in the proceedings and had been given an opportunity to file its defence but failed to comply with the court’s directions.
Infinity Industrial Park now alleges that, despite the subsisting court orders and the dismissal of the bank’s attempt to set aside the judgment, the bank proceeded with the appointment of administrators shortly afterwards.
The contempt application names Bank of Baroda directors Astitva Bhardwaj and Aman Kumar, together with the two purported administrators, as alleged contemnors.
The applicants want the court to find them in contempt for allegedly breaching the orders issued on September 8, 2025, and July 31, 2026.
If contempt is established, the applicant is seeking sanctions that could include fines or committal to civil jail. It is also seeking cancellation of the August 10 insolvency notice and any actions taken pursuant to it.
However, the court has not found Bank of Baroda, its directors or the other respondents guilty of contempt.
At this stage, the court has only allowed Prayer 3, restoring the previous status quo pending further directions. The substantive contempt allegations remain before the court for determination.
The matter is scheduled to return before the High Court on September 1, 2026, when further directions are expected.
