Tata Mohan Rao vs. S. Venkateswarlu and Others Etc. (CIVIL APPEAL – Contempt of Court)
The Supreme Court has punished a government officer (Tehsildar) for contempt after he demolished people's homes despite a High Court order protecting them. While the Court called his actions "inhumane," it decided against sending him to jail to protect his family from suffering the consequences of his dismissal from service. Instead, the officer was demoted from his current rank of Deputy Collector back to Tehsildar and was ordered to pay a hefty fine of ₹1 lakh. The ruling emphasizes that no one is above the law, especially public servants.