Contempt Case: MP HC Division Bench Halts IAS Officers Conviction

A two-judge bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court here has recently stayed a single bench’s decision to convict former Chhatarpur district collector Shailendra Singh and additional collector Amar Bahadur Singh in a contempt of court case.

Justice GS Ahluwalia awarded simple imprisonment of 7 days to the two IAS officers and imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 each on them.

However, the Chief Justice R Malimath and Justice V Mishra-led bench intervened and stayed the ruling upon the immediate appeal filed by the two officials.

Rachna Dwivedi, acting as a block coordinator for the Janpad Panchayat Chattarpur, instituted a contempt of court petition in this matter.

Advocate DK Tripathi, articulated that Dwivedi, a contractual employee, had been relocated twice, despite the high court’s interim orders that halted these transfers in 2017. Instead of adhering to the court’s directives, the officials ignored them and instead terminated her employment in 2021.

He stated, when the petitioner again moved the high court to challenge termination, the court granted a stay.

The counsel stated the contempt petition was filed as the authorities didn’t reinstate her in service.