In a strong message reinforcing the accountability of public officials, the Madras High Court has found IAS officer Anshul Mishra (2004 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre) guilty of contempt of court for wilfully disobeying a judicial order.
One-Month Jail Term, Sentence Suspended for 30 Days
Justice P. Velmurugan sentenced Mr. Mishra to one month of simple imprisonment, citing deliberate non-compliance with court directions. However, the sentence has been suspended for 30 days to allow the officer time to appeal before a Division Bench.
Compensation from Personal Salary Ordered
Alongside the jail term, the court directed Mr. Mishra — former Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) — to pay ₹25,000 in compensation to the petitioners, R. Lalithambal and K.S. Viswananthan. The amount is to be deducted from his personal salary. Failure to make the payment will result in an additional 10 days of imprisonment.
Background: Land Dispute and Non-Compliance
The contempt case is linked to a longstanding legal dispute over 17 cents of land in Nesapakkam, Chennai, acquired in 1983 for housing development. After years of litigation, part of the land was returned to the petitioners. In 2023, the High Court directed CMDA to review the status of the remaining land and respond within two months — a directive not complied with by Mishra prior to his transfer in February 2025.
Court Slams Public Officials for Judicial Defiance
Justice Velmurugan delivered a scathing critique of administrative apathy, remarking:
“This court notes with concern that such conduct by public authorities is not an isolated incident.”
He emphasized that public officials are accountable not only to their departments but also to the Constitution and the courts. The court rejected the officer’s explanation, calling it neither genuine nor satisfactory.
Upholding the Rule of Law
The judgment reaffirmed that compliance with court orders is not optional, stressing:
“Public service is a responsibility, not a privilege. Once a court order is passed, it binds the executive.”
If Mr. Mishra fails to file an appeal within the 30-day window, the High Court registry will proceed with implementing the sentence. The ruling is intended to deter future disregard of judicial authority by government officials.
Who Is Anshul Mishra?
Anshul Mishra is a senior IAS officer with over two decades of experience across governance, urban planning, policy-making, and administration at local, state, and national levels. He currently serves as the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB).
Previously, as Member Secretary of CMDA, he spearheaded the Third Master Plan for Chennai, introducing reforms in urban densification, affordable housing, land pooling, gender-sensitive urban design, multi-modal mobility, and flood-resilient planning. He also led notable lake and shoreline restoration efforts.
His earlier roles include
Private Secretary to Union Ministers for Civil Aviation and Finance
District Collector of Madurai and Thiruvannamalai
Commissioner, Coimbatore City Corporation
Joint Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Tamil Nadu
With academic training in Political Science, Economics, Philosophy, and International Relations, Mr. Mishra is known for his evidence-based and multidisciplinary approach to public service.
