Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh High Court reprimanded Rewa District Collector, IAS Pratibha Pal Singh, for ignoring court orders in a land case.
The court also imposed a ₹10,000 fine on her for the continued delay in resolving the matter.
The case involves farmer Rajesh Kumar Tiwari, whose land was taken by the government in 1993. Despite waiting for years, he did not get any compensation. In 2015, he went to court for help. Even after the court gave orders, the Collector did not take action.
During the court hearing, the judge asked the Collector to appear, but she sent a junior officer instead.
The court was not satisfied with this and told her to appear in court in four hours.
And, the Collector said she could not come because her husband was unwell.
When she finally appeared, the judge scolded her, saying, "You were not made a Collector to take people’s rights away or exploit them. Remember that." The judge also said, "A good government admits its mistakes and gives citizens their rights. A Collector's job is not to exploit people."
The court canceled the previous land order and fined the Collector ₹10,000.
This fine was already imposed in 2023 but was not acted upon.
