Chennai, May 2025:
The Madras High Court has sentenced senior IAS officer Anshul Mishra to one-month simple imprisonment for civil contempt of court, citing wilful disobedience of a court order passed in 2023 while he was serving as the Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).
The contempt petition was filed by R. Lalithambal and her brother K.S. Viswanathan, who sought reconveyance of 6.5 cents of land in Koyambedu, originally acquired by the Housing Board in 1983. While 10.5 cents were returned in 2003 following a High Court order, their petition in 2023 asked for the return of the remaining land, which had not been used for any public purpose.
In November 2023, the High Court directed the CMDA to issue notice, conduct an enquiry, and pass appropriate orders within two months. However, the petitioners claimed that the court’s instructions were not complied with within the given timeframe.
Though IAS officer Anshul Mishra claimed that the notice was issued on February 14, 2025, enquiry was held on February 21, and an order was passed on February 28—after he had been transferred from CMDA on February 9—the court held him accountable for inaction during his tenure and termed the delay wilful and wanton.
Justice P. Velmurugan observed that the officer had failed to take any steps during the crucial period after the court’s order and before his transfer. He ruled that the court’s orders are binding and non-compliance is contempt.
The court sentenced Mishra to one-month simple imprisonment and directed him to pay ₹25,000 in compensation within three weeks, failing which he would face an additional 10 days in jail. The amount is to be recovered from his salary.
However, the court suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow time for filing an appeal. If no appeal is made, the Registry was directed to proceed with enforcement of the sentence.
Mishra is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board.
📌 Bullet Points Format
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Who: IAS officer Anshul Mishra, former Member Secretary, CMDA.
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What: Sentenced to 1 month simple imprisonment for civil contempt of court.
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Why: Failed to comply with a High Court order issued in November 2023.
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Petitioners: R. Lalithambal and K.S. Viswanathan, landowners of 6.5 cents in Koyambedu.
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Case Background:
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Land acquired by the Housing Board in 1983.
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10.5 cents reconveyed in 2003 after court direction.
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6.5 cents remained pending; petition filed again in 2023.
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Court Order in 2023:
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CMDA was directed to issue notice, conduct enquiry, and take decision within 2 months.
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Contempt Filed in 2024: CMDA failed to act within the time.
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Mishra’s Defence:
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He was transferred on Feb 9, 2025.
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Notice issued on Feb 14, enquiry on Feb 21, order passed on Feb 28.
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Court’s View:
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Delay was wilful and wanton.
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Officer had time to act before transfer.
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Non-compliance = contempt.
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Sentence:
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1-month jail + ₹25,000 compensation (to be deducted from salary).
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If not paid in 3 weeks, 10 more days’ imprisonment.
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Appeal Window: Sentence suspended for 30 days for appeal.
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Current Posting: Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board.