By B S Reporter
Justice G S Ahluwalia of Madhya Pradesh High Court sentenced 7-day imprisonment and Rs 50,000 penalty to two IAS officers – Sheelendra Singh and Amar Bahadur Singh – over contempt of court. The decision later was challenged at division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Vishal Mishra, who put a stay on the decision.
Sheelendra Singh is a 2010 batch IAS officer promoted from state civil service while Amar Bahadur Singh is a 2013 batch IAS officer, also promoted from state civil service. Sheelendra Singh kis currently posted as deputy secretary, social justice and empowerment of persons with disabilities department. Amar Bahadur Singh is posted as additional commissioner, revenue, Jabalpur division.
The Case
The case dates back to 2017 when Sheelendra Singh was Chhatarpur Collector and Amar Bahadur Singh was his additional. A contract based district coordinator Rachna Dwivedi was transferred against the norms. The High Court had issued a stay order on the transfer twice but the officers did not comply the order. On the contrary, they terminated Dwivedi's services in the year 2021.
Following that Rachna Dwivedi again moved the High Court, which issued another stay on implementation of the termination order and asked the officers to take the coordinator back into service.
The High Court found both the IAS officers guilty of not obeying the court's order after initiating contempt of court case against them.
Later, both the officers moved division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Vishal Mishra, who put stay on the decision.
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