Kerala: IAS officer appears before HC for contempt

Kochi, Oct 8: Senior IAS Officer K Suresh Kumar,spearheading the Kerala Government's demolition drive against illegal encroachments in Munnar, today appeared before the Kerala High Court in a contempt of court case.

The contempt case was filed against Mr Kumar, the Former Officer on Special Duty heading the Munnar Task Force, by the owners of Dhanyasree Yatri Niwas in Munnar, contending he demolished a part of the resort on July 12, 2007, while a stay order on the demolition was in force.

Justice S Sirijagan asked the officer whether he stood by his affidavit in which he stated the resort was demolished as he was unaware of the high court's stay order.

Posting the case to next week, Justice Sirijagan observed that if the officer stood by his affidavit, he will refer the matter to a Division Bench.

Earlier, Mr Justice Sirijagan declined to accept an apology tendered by Mr Kumar in the case and directed him to appear before the court.

UNI