SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has summoned Shyambir, the Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal, to appear in person on August 5, 2024, in response to a criminal contempt case. The case, referred to the High Court under Section 15(2) of the Contempt of Courts Act 2015, originated from a complaint filed by Chief Judicial Magistrate Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi of Ganderbal district.
According to the court’s order, Shyambir is accused of failing to comply with a previous judicial order and allegedly attempting to personally attack the judge through “manipulation and fabrication.” The controversy arose over a land acquisition case, where petitioners had approached Qureshi’s court, alleging that they had not received compensation from the government despite a decree issued in 2022.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HLQ520fE0PL4oQAtzTjX2Z
In January, Qureshi directed Shyambir to compensate the petitioners. However, by June 21, the Deputy Commissioner had reportedly not acted on the order, leading the judge to instruct that salaries of the DC and other officials be withheld. The situation escalated further with the judge’s July 23 order, which accused the Deputy Commissioner of vindictive actions, including a purported investigation into Qureshi’s property as a form of retaliation.
The judge’s order detailed accusations that Shyambir, along with other officials, conspired to implicate him in a fabricated incident. It was claimed that the Deputy Commissioner even ordered a patwari to investigate land owned by the judge in Ganderbal, allegedly in response to the unfavorable court order against him and other officials.
The High Court has taken the matter seriously, with judges Sanjeev Kumar and Atul Sreedharan issuing a stern warning to Shyambir. The court emphasised that any attempt to avoid the service of summons or failure to appear would be met with coercive actions. Additionally, the court has appointed RA Jan as amicus curiae to assist in the proceedings.
The Deputy Commissioner has been issued a notice to explain why he should not be held in contempt, and the case has been listed for hearing on August 5. The Chief Secretary, Atul Dulloo, has also been notified, with a recommendation for administrative action against Shyambir and consideration of his transfer from the district.