Chandigarh, March 3, 2025 – The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued contempt notices to both the former and current chief secretaries of Punjab for violating court orders regarding the transfer of IAS officer Amit Kumar to Chandigarh. The transfer was carried out despite a prior directive that no such move should be made without the court’s approval.
Additionally, the court directed that all case documents be submitted to the office of the Additional Solicitor General of India, as the Centre has been named a party in the matter.
Case Background and Court Proceedings
The case stems from a petition filed by Kuldeep Singh, alleging the misappropriation of Shamlat (village common) land in villages around Chandigarh. Following court orders, Amit Kumar, a 2008-batch IAS officer, was appointed as commissioner-cum-appellate authority to investigate the alleged land misappropriation, particularly in Mohali village near Chandigarh.
However, he was later transferred on central deputation, taking over as commissioner of the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh. During Thursday’s hearing, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel noted that Kumar’s transfer on October 14, 2024, had taken place without obtaining the required approval from either the amicus curiae or the court.
The Punjab government’s counsel admitted that the move violated an interim order from May 10, 2018. Due to this unauthorized transfer, Kumar has been unable to perform his duties as commissioner-cum-appellate authority for the past several months.
Court’s Observations and Next Steps
Taking serious note of the violation, the bench stated:
“Issue notice to both the former and the current chief secretaries of Punjab, asking them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for violating the interim order dated May 10, 2018. A reply should be filed before the next hearing date.”
The matter has been adjourned to March 11 for further proceedings.
