Haryana: 25K fine for Ambala DC ignoring high court orders

When the matter of the panchayati land in Ambala reached the High Court for a hearing, the government lawyer informed that the DC (Deputy Commissioner) was informed about the court’s order, but no report has been received from them. In response, the High Court took a stern stance, imposing a fine of Rs 25,000 on the DC and directing them to pay this amount from their own pocket. Additionally, they were instructed to appear in court with a status report for the next hearing.
Advocate Fateh Saini, representing Manjeet Singh and others, informed the High Court that there is a disputed piece of land in Talhedi Panchayat of Ambala. The panchayat is claiming ownership of this land and filed a petition to evacuate it through the DC. This petition has been under consideration since 2007, and the DC had issued an order to maintain the status quo.
Despite this order, in 2017, the panchayat began removing soil from the land. A challenge was presented to the High Court through a petition. In a previous hearing, the High Court had stated that the case has been pending with the DC for 16 years, and a resolution has not been reached yet. In this context, the High Court had ordered the DC to submit a status report.
Upon the recent hearing, when the matter came for consideration, the government lawyer mentioned that the DC was informed about the court’s order, but no report has been received from them. In response, the High Court took a firm stance, imposing a fine of Rs 25,000 on the DC and directing them to deposit this amount at the Institute of Blind in Chandigarh Sector 26. Additionally, the High Court instructed the DC to personally appear with the status report in the next hearing.