IAS Officer Anshul Mishra Sentenced to One Month Jail
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In a serious development, the Madras High Court has found Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anshul Mishra guilty of contempt of court. The court has ordered him to serve one month in simple imprisonment, but this sentence has been temporarily suspended to give him time to appeal to a Division Bench.
Why the Court Punished IAS Officer Anshul Mishra
Justice P. Velmurugan passed this order after it was found that Mr. Mishra did not follow a court directive on time. He was previously the Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). The High Court had ordered him to act on a petition filed by two elderly siblings, R. Lalithambal and K.S. Viswanathan, who were trying to get back a piece of land taken by the government many years ago.
Their land, located near Nesapakkam Road in Chennai, was acquired in 1983 for a housing project by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board. However, the land was not used for the purpose it was acquired for. The siblings fought a long legal battle, and part of the land (10.5 cents) was given back to them after a court order. But the remaining 6.5 cents were kept by the government for road widening.
In November 2023, the High Court clearly directed the CMDA, led by Mr. Mishra at the time, to take action on the siblings’ fresh petition within two months. However, this order was not followed even by August 2024, leading the siblings to file a contempt petition.
Court’s Strong Message on Delayed Justice
The judge expressed strong displeasure over the delay. He pointed out that this kind of behavior from government officials was not new, and many ordinary citizens are forced to go to court repeatedly because public officials either delay action or ignore court orders.
Justice Velmurugan stated:
“Public service is not a privilege. It is a responsibility and trust given by the people. When a court order is issued, government officers must follow it. Ignoring or delaying it amounts to contempt of court.”
The judge added that such behavior shakes people’s faith in the justice system and damages the image of public service.
Court Orders Deduction from Salary and Compensation
In addition to the jail sentence, the judge ordered Mr. Mishra to personally pay ₹25,000 as compensation to the elderly siblings. This amount must be paid from his own salary, not public funds. The State Government has been instructed to deduct the money from his monthly pay. If he fails to pay the compensation, he will have to face an additional 10 days of imprisonment.
What Happened After Mr. Mishra Was Transferred
The siblings’ lawyer informed the court that Mr. Mishra was transferred from CMDA to the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board in February 2025. It was only after his transfer that the CMDA responded to the siblings’ plea. However, the new official rejected their request for the remaining land on February 28, 2025—well beyond the two-month deadline set by the court.
Conclusion
This case is a strong reminder that court orders must be followed seriously. It also highlights how public authorities must act responsibly and promptly, especially when dealing with genuine grievances of citizens. The Madras High Court’s firm stance sends a clear message that the rule of law must be respected, and delays will not be tolerated.
