||Black and White Digital News ||

||Tejveer Singh August 03,2024 ||

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has taken a stern stance against Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner Shyambir Singh, accusing him of harassing Chief Judicial Magistrate Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi in relation to a land acquisition case. The court has summoned Singh to appear on August 5, warning of coercive actions if he fails to do so.

The issue stems from a land acquisition case where petitioners approached CJM Qureshi’s court, alleging they were not compensated for land acquired by the government. In response, Qureshi passed an adverse order against Singh, leading to tensions between the two.

Allegations of Retaliation:Qureshi accused Singh of initiating an inquiry into land that he legally owns as a form of revenge. The inquiry included visits by a patwari to Qureshi’s property under Singh’s direction, ostensibly to demarcate the land due to the adverse order.

Criminal Contempt Reference:Citing these actions, Qureshi submitted a criminal contempt reference against Singh under section 15(2) of the Contempt of Courts Act 2015. Before this, Qureshi conducted a preliminary inquiry and summoned Singh, who failed to appear.

High Court Order:On Friday, the High Court issued a stern order summoning Singh to appear on August 5. The division bench, comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Sanjeev Kumar, warned that any attempt by Singh to avoid the summons or not appear would result in coercive proceedings.

Personal Connections:Shyambir Singh is a 2018 batch IAS officer and the son-in-law of former Union Minister and BJP leader Prahlad Singh Patel, adding a layer of political sensitivity to the case.

Accusations of Abuse of Power:The High Court’s order described Singh’s actions as a “clear abuse of his official position,” citing attempts to fabricate charges against Qureshi or to identify property owned by the judge as part of the retaliation.

Significance:The case highlights significant issues of power dynamics between the judiciary and the administrative bureaucracy. The High Court’s decision to take up criminal contempt proceedings underscores the judiciary’s resolve to maintain its authority and protect its members from alleged administrative overreach and harassment.

Court Appearance:Shyambir Singh is required to appear before the High Court on August 5. His compliance with this order will be crucial, as any failure to appear could lead to coercive measures by the court.

Potential Implications:The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar conflicts between judges and bureaucrats are handled in the future, particularly in the sensitive context of Jammu and Kashmir.

The criminal contempt proceedings against IAS officer Shyambir Singh, accused of harassing CJM Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi, reflect the judiciary’s firm stance against perceived misuse of administrative power. The High Court’s warning of coercive actions underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the potential ramifications for Singh if he fails to appear in court as ordered. When approached, Shyambir Singh refrained from commenting, citing the sub judice nature of the case.