Patna: The Patna high court imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on the office of the district magistrate (DM) of Patna for non-compliance of its order passed four years ago.
A division bench comprising Justice P B Bajanthari and Jutice Ramesh Chand Malviya passed the order on Thursday while hearing a contempt petition filed by one Pankaj Kumar.
The petitioner had earlier filed a public interest litigation alleging the embezzlement of public funds by the local authorities in construction of village roads in Dhanarua village under Masaurhi circle in Patna district.
On November 21, 2019, the high court had asked the district magistrate to dispose of the petitioner’s complaint regarding financial irregularities in accordance with law. As no action was taken despite the lapse of four years, Pankaj filed a contempt petition against the administration.
Taking serious view of long delay in compliance of court’s order, the two judges had summoned Patna DM to explain about actions taken against the erring officers. On Thursday, the Patna DM appeared before the court and furnished the required explanations which were found unsatisfactory by the court.
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