Capt to re-examine Ladhar case, HC told

Chandigarh, May 26

The Chief Minister would have a re-look on the previous government’s decision to let off senior IAS officer SR Ladhar with just a warning, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was today told.

Ladhar had collected an arbitration fee from farmers for deciding disputes with the National Highway Authority of India. Additional Advocate-General V Ram Swarup informed the Bench of Justice Rajan Gupta that the competent authority — the CM — would re-look at the decision of October 9, 2012, taken by the then CM.

”Taking a lenient view of the matter, if the officer complies with the orders of the government, a written warning may be issued to him and he may be instructed to remain careful in respect of government rules/instructions,” the CM had ordered.

An affidavit filed by Chief Secretary Karan A Singh said the matter was being taken up with the competent authority. For the purpose, six weeks’ time was sought.

The HC, on the previous date of hearing, had asked the state to specify whether the action amounted to “misconduct” or “offence”. The query came on a contempt petition by advocate HC Arora against IAS officer Sarvesh Kaushal and others for not complying with directions issued by a Division Bench in October, 2013.

Arora earlier stated that in October, a Division Bench had directed the state to ensure remittance of the arbitration fee charged by Ladhar along with proportionate interest. The exercise was to be completed in a month from the date of amount deposit by Ladhar. Thereafter, the amount charged from individual landowners was to be refunded within the next month. Arora submitted that the respondents were unable to ensure compliance of judgment. — TNS