Patna High Court on Thursday initiated contempt proceedings in a case of alleged non-payment of compensation to a landowner whose land was acquired to rehabilitate displaced persons in 1975.
The bench of Justice J.N. Singh directed the principal secretary, disaster management, Vyasji, Khagaria district magistrate (DM) Parvez Salim and land acquisition officer Gautam Paswan to file their respective replies within four weeks as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for disobeying its order. The contempt petition was filed by one Rakesh Narayan Singh.
During Thursday’s hearing, the principal secretary, DM and land officer told the court that the process for payment of compensation for eight decimals was underway against amount payable for 4.42 acres. Despite several hearings and undertaking given by the government that the payment would be made, the high court summoned them to know the latest position.
On July 31, the court had asked the three officers to appear personally to explain the latest position of compensation payment related to the land acquisition. “It seems that the government officials are taking it up as routine matter,” Justice Singh had said during the last hearing.