A land acquisition court in Moradabad has taken the drastic step of ordering the attachment of the official residence of the Bijnor District Magistrate. The court has also summoned the senior officer to appear in person on January 9, 2026. This severe action comes as a result of the administration's failure to pay a compensation amount of Rs 25.2 lakh to a landowner, despite a court decree issued over four years ago.
Court Takes Coercive Action Over Non-Compliance
The case, titled Umesh Kumar vs the government, revolves around land that was acquired by the irrigation department several years ago. Judge Zaigham Uddin of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority passed the attachment order after being informed that the compensation, legally awarded to the petitioner, remained unpaid. The court had issued a decree in favor of the landowner on March 13, 2020, but the district administration failed to disburse the funds.
Frustrated by the prolonged non-compliance, the court initiated coercive proceedings. The summons for the District Magistrate was issued to determine the reasons for the delay and to initiate the process for case registration. This move underscores the judiciary's growing impatience with administrative lapses in implementing court orders related to land acquisition.
Administration's Response and Pending Inquiry
District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur acknowledged the court's order and stated that efforts are underway to resolve the matter. She indicated that the administration would work to ensure the government releases the compensation amount to the irrigation department before the next hearing. This would allow for the payment to be made to the landowner according to the established rules.
More significantly, Kaur announced that an official inquiry will be conducted to pinpoint the officer or employee responsible for the delay in forwarding the compensation request to the government. "Appropriate action will be taken against all those found responsible," she assured. This step aims to address the systemic delays that often plague such cases.
A Pattern of Judicial Intervention in Uttar Pradesh
This incident is not isolated. Courts in Uttar Pradesh have repeatedly admonished district administrations for inordinate delays in disbursing land acquisition compensation. The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 mandates timely compensation to individuals whose land is acquired for public purposes. However, lags in implementation, especially after judicial orders, have frequently led to stern interventions from the bench.
Judicial measures have included:
- Issuing strict compliance timelines to officials.
- Summoning senior bureaucrats for personal explanations.
- Ordering attachment of government properties, as seen in this case.
These actions highlight a growing judicial trend to hold the executive accountable and ensure justice for citizens whose land has been taken for development projects. The Bijnor case serves as a stark reminder of the legal and personal consequences for officials who neglect court directives.
