J.P. SINGH Vs. KANS DASS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present letters patent appeal challenges the judgment of the learned Single Judge, dated 20.11.2012, passed in CWP No. 10525 of 2000, whereby the appellant, a Punjab Civil Services Officer and former Sub Divisional Magistrate of Ajnala, along with the then Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, have been burdened with compensation of Rs. 4,00,000/-, (with Rs. 1,00,000/- to be paid to each of the petitioners of CWP No. 10525 of 2000, i.e. the present respondents No. 1 to 4). The facts leading to the filing of the writ petition and the consequent judgment are as follows:--

(2.) The allegation of the writ petitioners was that the present appellant demanded money from the collections made, in a fair held in the year 1999. When the writ petitioners (present respondents No. 1 to 4) declined to accede to his demand, he brought a police force on 19.02.2000, along with bulldozers and demolished all the residential houses in the said khasra No. 79, on the ground that they were encroachers. Upon this, a panchayat resolution condemning the action, was passed. Thereafter, a deputation met the Chief Minister also, with their complaint. The appellant is stated to have been, then, suspended and Rs. 50,000/- was granted to each petitioner as interim relief, for raising temporary structures to house their families.

(3.) The grievance of the said respondents was, that other than suspension of the present appellant, no action had been taken, despite the fact that he had committed the offences referred to hereinabove, by breaking into their houses, intimidating them and demolishing their houses.