Back
MP High Court Issues Against IAS Officers for '' in Contempt Case
The has issued against two senior IAS officers—Vivek Kumar Porwal and Sandeep GR—for their failure to appear or file a in a despite being fully aware of the proceedings. The bench of Justice Vivek Jain sharply criticized the state administration's approach, terming it an "" in handling contempt matters.
A Case of Deliberate Disregard
The was filed by Sheela Sen, a woman employee of the , against Porwal, then principal secretary of revenue, and Sandeep GR, collector of Sagar. The High Court had issued notices in , which were duly served on both officials. In response, the collector's office sent a letter to the registry on , informing that the Tehsildar of Sagar City had been appointed as a "contact officer" to manage the . However, neither Porwal nor Sandeep GR engaged a counsel or filed any .
'A Sorry State of Affairs'
Justice Jain noted that the respondents' conduct reflected a broader administrative malaise.
"The aforesaid act of the respondents depicts a very sorry state of affairs in the administration of the State Government, whereby they have adopted an
in the matter of contempt petitions,"
the court observed.
"They simply write a letter to the Registry of this Court informing about appointment of a Contact Officer, but thereafter do not engage a counsel nor file any
. Therefore, this court has no option but to issue
against the respondents."
and Next Steps
Finding the officials' inaction inexcusable, the court directed the , to execute the warrant against Porwal, and the , to execute the warrant against Sandeep GR. Both authorities are to ensure the respondents' presence before the court on , when the matter will be taken up next. The case has been listed for that date.
The order underscores the High Court's insistence on compliance with its directions and sends a clear signal that cannot be ignored by government officials.
