Sundargarh Collector and District Magistrate BS Punia has invited trouble for himself by misleading the Orissa High Court. The court on Thursday directed its registry to initiate criminal proceedings against Punia for filing a false affidavit.
A Division Bench of Justices Kumari Sanju Panda and KR Mohapatra expressing displeasure over the Collector’s conduct has directed the Registrar (Judicial) of the court to initiate proceedings immediately.
In a case of land acquisition, the Collector had filed an affidavit stating about land acquisition for an NTPC project in Darlipally of the district. He had also intimated the court about the payment of compensation in the affidavit, which turned out to be false, said petitioner’s advocate BS Tripathy.