LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued contempt notices to the Multan deputy commissioner (DC), assistant commissioner (AC) and additional district commissioner revenue for delay in implementing an apex court order to hand over a piece of land to a family that had migrated from India in a 55-year-old case.

Barkat Ali, the head of the migrated family, was allotted a piece of 47 acre land in Multan by the settlement commissioner in 1966. The land was originally owned by a Hindu, Puja Ram, who had left for India in 1947.

However, the Board of Revenue (BoR) cancelled the allotment and Ali fought a long legal battle before the courts for his right.

Following several rounds of litigation, the Supreme Court, in 2016, passed a final judgement in favour of Ali. However, the verdict remained unimplemented by the Board of Revenue (BoR) authorities.

Barkat Ali passed away and his grandson, Shaukat Ali, filed a petition in the LHC for the implementation of the SC verdict.

On Friday, the BoR officials presented a report before the court, saying the decision of the apex court had been implemented.

Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan asked Land Record Officer Saba, who was present in the court, as to why the authorities had failed to implement the apex court’s decision on their own.

“Had this court not taken notice, the petitioner would still be running from pillar to post for his right,” the CJ said.

“What is the fault of the people who decided to migrate to Pakistan?” he asked the officials standing in the court.

The CJ remarked that the officials responsible for denial of the right to the petitioner’s family for two generations were not entitled to any leniency.

“I am not inclined to forgive them,” he added.

Chief Justice Khan issued contempt of court notices to Multan deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner and additional district commissioner revenue. The officials were directed to submit their explanation by June 29.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2021