In a strong rebuke to senior government officials, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed a collective penalty of Rs 2 lakh on four senior officers of the Punjab government for what it termed “persistent and deliberate disobedience” of its earlier orders. The four include Gaurav Yadav, Director General of Police (DGP), and three IAS officers: Pardeep Kumar (Transport Secretary), Moneesh Kumar (State Transport Commissioner), and Jitendra Jorwal (Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur).
According to The Times of India, the court ordered that each of the four must bear Rs 50,000 and that the sum must be recovered from their salaries and deposited into the Punjab Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The penalty arises from their failure to comply with a directive issued in September 2023 to effectively clamp down on illegally modified vehicles operating under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Despite repeated deadlines and reminders, the court found that the officials did not file a proper compliance report. Instead, they sought to modify or recall the earlier order – applications which were dismissed as lacking merit. The bench observed that this approach demonstrated a “casual and contemptuous” attitude toward the judicial process.
In addition, the court pointed out material contradictions and inconsistencies in the reports submitted by the transport department and the police regarding the number of vehicles challaned and impounded, which the bench said reflected lack of coordination and seriousness by the respondents.
An earlier cost of Rs 1 lakh, imposed on September 2 for the same non-compliance, remains unpaid. The court has directed the matter to be listed on November 27 for a fresh compliance report.
The ruling underscores the high court’s intent to hold senior officials accountable and to ensure that judicial directions are implemented rather than delayed or evaded.
