Court orders attachment of Under Secretary's salary

A Mohali court has ordered to attach the salary of an Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climatic Change, New Delhi, for inordinate delay on part of the competent authority as the sanction for prosecution of accused Vishal Chauhan (IFoS) is yet to be received.

The court directed the Under Secretary to appear in person and explain the reasons for the inordinate delay.

"It is disquieting to observe that almost four months have elapsed, but the competent authority has failed to finalise the case regarding sanction for prosecution of accused Vishal Chauhan… The proceedings in this case are being held up for last more than two years since the presentation of challan in July 2022. Under these compelling circumstances, the salary of the Under Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climatic Change, New Delhi, is ordered to be attached," read the order by the court of Additional Sessions Judge, Mohali.