SUKKUR, May 22: The Sindh High Court, Sukkur Bench, has awarded a five-day imprisonment to the director, Sindh Irrigation Development Authority (SIDA), Zafar Leghari and ordered to send him to jail in a case of contempt of court on Wednesday.

On submission of a written apology and mercy appeal through his lawyer, Abdul Fateh Malik, the court quashed the punishment and ordered to release him on bail.

The SIDA had taken out channels from the Nara Canal to provide water to the growers. These channels were built on the lands of different growers with the assurance that they would be paid for their lands from where the channels passed.

When money was not paid to these growers, they approached the Sindh High Court, Sukkur Bench.

The director, SIDA, Zafar Leghari during the proceeding of the case had assured the court that compensation money would be paid to the affected grower within 15 days.

In today’s hearing, Zafar Leghari informed the court that so far he had been unable to establish contact with the higher authorities of his department.

The prosecution lawyer, Suresh Kumar, held Zafar Leghari responsible for the delay.

The court held Zafar Leghari responsible for the delay and passed the orders for the punishment.