Court questions state on officer’s conduct

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 25

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the State of Punjab Government to specify whether the collection of arbitration fee by IAS officer Sucha Ram Ladhar from farmers for deciding disputes with the National Highway Authority of India 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 2013, a Division Bench of the High Court had directed the state government to ensure remittance of arbitration fee charged by Ladhar, along with proportionate interest. The entire exercise was to be completed within a month from the date of deposit of the amount from 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 and have, therefore, committed contempt of court.

In his affidavit, Ladhar, however, stated that Rs 11,17,436 out of the arbitration fee collected from farmers was retained for paying honorarium to his staff and for meeting other expenses.