The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur has directed the State government to initiate disciplinary action against a senior town planning official who appeared before the Court through Video Conferencing from his bed closing his buttons of the shirt and in underpant. The Court also directed him to explain why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.
Background
The proceedings concerned compliance with an earlier court order directing the official to submit a compliance report. The official, Amit Kumar Gajbhiye, Joint Director of Town and Country Planning, Bhopal, appeared virtually during the morning session.
The Court took exception to his appearance, observing that it was inconsistent with the decorum expected during judicial proceedings.
The Court recorded its displeasure in clear terms:
"This conduct of the respondent-Contemnor is not according to the court decorum and contemptuous, therefore, this Court is compelled to observe that the respondent-Contemnor is guilty of misconduct and has committed the contempt of this Court."
The Deputy Advocate General, appearing for the State, assured the Court that the matter would be taken up with higher officials for appropriate disciplinary action.
Accepting the assurance, the Court directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings and required a report within four weeks. It also directed Gajbhiye to show cause within the same period as to why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated.
The Court also examined the underlying dispute concerning the classification of the petitioner's land. It noted that a recommendation to correct the land records had already been forwarded in October 2025, but the petitioner's representation had not resulted in the required resolution.
The Court directed the petitioner to apply for rectification through the ALPASS Portal. The respondent was directed to facilitate the application's uploading and acceptance within seven days and decide it within four weeks of uploading.
The High Court directed the State to initiate disciplinary action, ordered the official to submit his explanation regarding possible criminal contempt proceedings, and issued specific timelines for resolving the land-use application.
The matter was listed for further hearing on November 30, 2026.
Case Details
- Case Title: G.S.B. Construction v. Shri Amit Kumar Gajbhiye
- Case Number: CONC No. 3816 of 2026
- Judge: Justice Deepak Khot
- Decision Date: October 27, 2026
