Fri May 30 12:38:34 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Coimbatore North Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) P.K. Govindan has been transferred to Ranipet district following contempt of court proceedings initiated by the Madras High Court. The case was filed by a landowner who alleged illegal entries on his property’s patta. The court found Govindan and two other officials guilty of contempt for failing to comply with a previous court order to address the landowner’s representation. Govindan was fined, and another official, Coimbatore North Tahsildar Manivel, received a suspended sentence of imprisonment.

**News Article:**

**Coimbatore RDO Transferred Amid Contempt of Court Ruling**

**Coimbatore, India – May 30, 2025** – P.K. Govindan, the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) for Coimbatore North, has been transferred to Ranipet district, where he will serve as Personal Assistant (General) to the Collector. The transfer follows a recent ruling by the Madras High Court finding Govindan and two other officials in contempt of court.

The case stems from a petition filed by 74-year-old John Chandy, who sought the removal of allegedly illegal entries in the patta for his property in Chinnavedampatti village. In November 2023, the High Court directed the Coimbatore district administration to review Chandy’s representation and issue orders within two months. When this directive was not followed, contempt proceedings were initiated.

Justice P. Velmurugan held Govindan, along with Coimbatore North Tahsildar Manivel and another unnamed official, responsible for the non-compliance. Govindan was fined ₹10,000, to be deducted from his salary and paid to the petitioner. Manivel received a one-month simple imprisonment sentence, which has been suspended for 30 days to allow for appeal, and was ordered to pay compensation equivalent to one month’s salary.

The court emphasized that Govindan, as a senior officer, failed to ensure the court’s order was obeyed, characterizing the officials’ actions as deliberate disobedience. The transfer marks a significant development in a case that highlights the importance of adherence to judicial directives.

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