LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday ordered Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) to initiate proceedings against all those posted as collectors (consolidation officers), Gujranwala, during the last 20 years for not taking action against a patwari who left the charge without handing over record of mutations.

Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan passed this order while rejecting a report submitted by the Deputy Secretary (Consolidation) on the matter of missing record of the mutations.

The judge said perusal of the report revealed that it was a replica of an earlier report filed on behalf of the respondents who have not yet been able to retrieve the missing mutations from the district record room.

The report said patwari Amjad Farooq did not hand over missing mutations at the time of his transfer 20 years ago and a criminal complaint was lodged against him on June 17, 2016.

Justice Khan observed, “the entire hierarchy of Consolidation Department is responsible for not taking action against the delinquent Patwari on timely basis.”

“Senior Member Board of Revenue is, therefore, directed to initiate proceedings against all the officers who remained posted as Collectors (Consolidation Officers), Gujranwala during the last 20 years on account of not taking action in time,” the judge said in the order.

Justice Khan further observed, “It is a matter of extreme importance where rights of property owners are involved but unfortunately no serious efforts are being made by the respondent department despite indulgence of this Court for the last couple of years.”

The judge also directed the SMBR to convene a high-level meet ing to undertake exercise to find out the areas, mauzas and districts, record of which was missing and submit a detailed report in this court as well as to the chief executive of the province to bring the whole situation in his notice.

The additional advocate general sought last opportunity to ensure completion of the record of Mauza Baddu Malhi.

The judge accepted the request reluctantly and observed if the orders of the court are not complied with before the next date, the respondents will be proceeded in contempt of court. Hearing was adjourned till Sept 28.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2016