Telangana HC issues warrants against Sultania, Vikas Raj
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday issued bailable warrants against two IAS officers for failing to appear before it in contempt proceedings despite its directions.
The court had earlier directed Finance Principal Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania and Roads and Buildings Principal Secretary Vikas Raj to appear on August 31 and explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for failing to implement its orders on payment of land acquisition compensation.
As the two officers did not appear, the court directed the registry to take steps to secure their appearance on September 7.
The contempt petitions were filed by Nagireddy and another person from Jogulamba Gadwal district over the non-compliance with the High Court’s April 24 order last year directing the authorities to deposit 50% of the compensation amount fixed by the lower court within three months.
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar heard the petitions.
Finance secretary cites budget constraints and Sultania’s Japan visit
Finance Secretary Gaurav Uppal filed a counter on behalf of Sultania.
“Budget constraints and the large number of tokens issued have resulted in payments being made on a priority basis. Therefore, there was some delay. Sultania had no intention of violating the court’s orders. He did not wilfully violate the court’s orders. He was on an official visit to Japan from August 23 to September 1. We have submitted Government Order 1170 issued by the government on August 11 in this regard,” he said.
The judge made it clear that a person facing contempt proceedings cannot authorise another officer to appear on his behalf.
Court says no option but to issue warrants
The court also noted that Vikas Raj had not appeared and had not filed any application seeking exemption from personal appearance.
“Though the government pleader says that an application seeking exemption from appearance was filed, there is no such application on record. As Sultania and Vikas Raj have failed to appear either personally or online, this court has no option but to issue bailable warrants to secure their appearance,” the judge said.
