High Court slaps contempt on Punjab DGP, 3 IAS officers, orders deduction from salaries

The court directed that the Rs 2 lakh penalty be recovered equally from the salaries of DGP Yadav, Pradeep Kumar (IAS), Secretary, Transport Department; Manish Kumar (IAS), State Transport Commissioner; and Jitendra Jorwal (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur. The amount will be deposited in the Punjab Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

The court said the fine is in addition to the Rs 1 lakh penalty earlier imposed on the same officers for non-compliance. Despite being given several opportunities, the officers failed to submit a satisfactory compliance report on the removal of illegally modified vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

In its earlier order of September 2, the Bench had imposed a Rs 1 lakh fine on the officers. Instead of depositing it, they sought modification and recall of the order through two separate applications, both of which were dismissed as “baseless”. The court noted that this conduct reflected a casual and evasive approach toward judicial directions.

Ordering that the Rs 2 lakh penalty be deducted in equal portions (Rs 50,000 each) from their monthly pay, the court also directed that proof of deposit of the earlier Rs 1 lakh fine be filed at the earliest.

The matter will next be heard on November 27.

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