Lahore High Court Chief Justice, Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry here Tuesday directed District Co-ordination Officer Lahore Ahad Cheema to submit details of assets of tehsildars, naib tehsildars and patwaris till August 12 next. The DCO appeared in the court to defend his position in a case against a patwari Mehboob Sarwar who was not issuing fard-e-malkiat (mutation deed) to a petitioner despite court orders.
As the proceedings started on Tuesday the CJ asked the DCO, "Do you know what patwaris are doing under your nose?" CJ said fards were being issued by patwaris after taking bribe up to Rs 15,00,000. Expressing serious concerns over the malpractice of patwaris, the CJ advised Chief Minister Punjab to take action against corrupt patwaris. CJ asked the DCO to convey court's concern to the chief minister. The DCO Cheema said people should lodge complaint against delinquent patwaris. At this CJ asked him, "Do you think any commoner could dare to complain against a patwari, fearing tempering of his property record."
The CJ said revenue department is the most corrupt department in country but it appeared that the authorities had turned a blind eye to the issues. "Patwaris have been living in bungalows and they never work without taking gratification," CJ pointed out. Petitioner's counsel informed the court that fard had been issued and the grievance of his client had been addressed. The CJ, however, observed that the court would not abandon the matter simply on issuance of the fard. The CJ adjourned hearing till August 12 and directed the DCO to furnish assets details of the patwari and others.
The petitioner, Khalid Saeed, had contended that a bench of the high court had directed patwari of Kahna to issue him fard-malkiat without any delay, but the patwari ignored the orders. He said he also approached the DCO for the implementation of court orders but in vain. Petitioner sought contempt of court proceedings against the DCO for not complying with the court orders.
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