Gujarat High Court summons Ahmedabad Collector

Ahmedabad : An elderly man’s ordeal under the Land Grabbing Act has sparked a judicial inquiry, leading to the Gujarat High Court summoning the Ahmedabad District Collector. The court’s action follows the wrongful detention of a 65-year-old petitioner, who spent seven days behind bars due to alleged negligence by authorities.

The controversy unfolded when the  Gujarat High Court bench, led by the Chief Justice, expressed dismay over the mishandling of the case by Ahmedabad collector. Criticizing the state government sharply, the Chief Justice emphasized, “This is not a trivial error. You cannot subject innocent individuals to wrongful harassment. The petitioner endured incarceration due to your oversight, prompting us to entrust the matter to the Home Secretary for investigation.”

The case revolves around allegations that the Ahmedabad District Collector’s committee, responsible for probing land possession disputes, hastily filed an FIR against the elderly petitioner without thoroughly examining crucial evidence. The court noted discrepancies in the committee’s reliance solely on the opinion of the CT Deputy Collector (Ahmedabad East), which was found to be erroneous upon review of original records.

In response to these findings, the High Court directed the District Collector and committee members to furnish a detailed report clarifying their actions in the upcoming court session. The judiciary expressed grave concern over the casual approach taken by the committee, which led to the petitioner’s unwarranted imprisonment.

Highlighting procedural lapses, the court underscored the necessity for meticulous scrutiny of evidence before initiating legal actions. It rebuked the committee for its failure to adhere to established protocols and emphasized the need for accountability within administrative bodies responsible for handling such sensitive matters.

The next hearing in this significant judicial review is scheduled for August 28, where further deliberations are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the petitioner’s detention. The High Court’s proactive stance reflects its commitment to safeguarding the rights of citizens and ensuring justice is served without prejudice.