MP High Court Directs Revenue Department Probe Over Missing Land Case Records
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken serious note of missing official records in a government land case and has ordered a comprehensive investigation by the state's Revenue Department. A single-judge bench has directed the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department to conduct a thorough probe within two months to determine how crucial documents disappeared from the Gwalior Collectorate's files.
Missing Files in 2006 Civil Appeal Case
The court noted with concern that the complete file related to a civil second appeal filed in December 2006 is not available in the Collector's office. During examination, only one entry was found in the outward register indicating that the then Sub-Divisional Officer had sought permission to file the appeal. However, there exists no record confirming whether such permission was actually granted by the appropriate authorities.
The bench observed that the appeal was filed with the then SDO signing as Officer-in-Charge, despite no official order appointing him to that position existing in government records. Furthermore, the court found no documentation showing that other relevant officials were informed about the case or given responsibility for its handling.
Court Criticizes "Superficial" Inquiry and Shifting Responsibility
The High Court expressed strong disapproval of the handling of this matter, stating that either there was negligence in the government advocate's office or someone within the Collectorate had removed the files intentionally. The bench noted that no proper inquiry had been conducted previously, with responsibility being shifted among officials without any accountability being fixed.
"The earlier inquiry was superficial at best," the court remarked, holding the Collector responsible for failing to properly investigate the disappearance of crucial records. The bench has directed the State government to provide clear answers regarding whether permission was actually taken to file the appeal, whether any Officer-in-Charge was formally appointed, and why the case was not properly monitored over the years.
Background of the Temple Land Dispute
The case centers around a dispute concerning 5.19 bighas of temple land located in Kota Lashkar. The legal journey began when a trial court ruled in favor of private parties in the year 2000. The State's initial appeal against this decision was dismissed in 2003. A second appeal was subsequently filed in 2006, which met the same fate when it was dismissed in 2009.
Remarkably, the State later sought restoration of the case after a delay exceeding nine years, bringing attention to the procedural irregularities and missing documentation that have now prompted the High Court's intervention and ordered investigation.
