The Allahabad High Court strongly rebuked three senior officials from Baghpat district, the Collector, SDM (Sadar), and Tehsildar, for allegedly violating its interim stay order and demolishing a woman’s house.
Justice JJ Munir, presiding over the case, observed that it appears as if civil and police officials in the state derive a sense of achievement from disobeying judicial orders, instead of feeling guilt or remorse.
“It seems that a culture has developed among executive officers in Uttar Pradesh, especially those in the police and civil administration, where violating court orders gives them a perverse sense of pride,” the judge remarked.
Allahabad Court seeks personal affidavits from officials
The High Court directed the SDM Sadar, Tehsildar Sadar, and Revenue Inspector of Baghpat to file personal affidavits by July 7, 2025.
The affidavits must explain why the court should not order the reconstruction of the demolished structure at the government’s expense and restore it to its original state.
Interim protection violated despite court order
According to the case details, petitioner Chhama had obtained an interim stay order from the High Court on May 15, 2025.
The order restrained the authorities from proceeding with eviction and demolition actions initiated under Section 67 of the UP Revenue Code.
The court had clearly instructed that no demolition should take place, and even stopped any recovery in connection with the demolition order passed earlier on July 5, 2024.
On May 16, 2025, the SDM and Tehsildar, with police support, allegedly led a team and demolished the petitioner’s house, even after they saw a physical copy of the High Court’s order.
Petitioner files contempt application
Following the demolition, Chhama filed a contempt application under Article 215 of the Constitution, seeking punishment for the officials involved. The application is named:
- Avneesh Tripathi, SDM, Sadar, Baghpat
- Abhishek Kumar, Tehsildar, Sadar, Baghpat
- Deepak Sharma, Revenue Inspector, Sadar, Baghpat
- Mohit Tomar, Lekhpal, Baghpat
She accused them of willfully disobeying the High Court’s interim order.
The petitioner submitted photographs showing officials reading the court’s order while the demolition was underway.
The court seriously noted that the order had already been passed in the presence of the Standing Counsel, even if there was a delay in uploading it.
Allahabad High Court emphasised that once the petitioner had informed authorities about the stay order, they had a duty to refrain from any irreversible actions like demolition until the order was verified.
The court said this could be a fit case for compensation and mandatory reconstruction, possibly at the government’s expense. Accordingly, the bench issued notices to the named officials and scheduled the next hearing for 2 PM on July 7, 2025.
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