Moradabad, UP: The Bijnor district administration has come under the spotlight after a special court in Moradabad ordered the attachment of the official residence of District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur, an IAS officer of the 2012 batch. The order stems from a long-standing land acquisition dispute where compensation to a farmer remained unpaid.
The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority (LARA) court directed the officer to appear in person on January 9, 2026, sparking widespread discussion within administrative circles.
Background of the Land Dispute
The case relates to the acquisition of 1.16 hectares of land in Ibrahimpur Kumharpura village of Bijnor district for a canal project by the irrigation department. The farmer, Umesh, was entitled under law to compensation at four times the prevailing circle rate. Despite repeated representations, the payment was not made.
Umesh approached the LARA court in 2020, which directed the irrigation department to pay Rs 25.23 lakh as compensation. However, the order remained unimplemented, leading the court to take a stern view of the continued non-compliance.
Court Directives and Implications
LARA judge Zaigamuddin ordered the seizure of the DM’s government accommodation. The court clarified that the property would remain attached and could not be sold or transferred, though Jasjit Kaur may continue to reside there. If required, proceeds from an auction of the property would be directed to the farmer.
This follows earlier strictures from the Allahabad High Court, which issued a non-bailable warrant against the DM in November 2024 and directed her presence before the high court on January 5, 2026.
Jasjit Kaur’s Response
Jasjit Kaur, serving as District Magistrate and Collector of Bijnor since January 16, 2025, stated that the court’s directions would be fully complied with. She confirmed that the irrigation department was working to release the compensation immediately and that departmental action would be initiated against officials responsible for the delay.
About IAS Jasjit Kaur
- Name: Jasjit Kaur
- Cadre: Uttar Pradesh, IAS 2012 batch
- Current Post: DM & Collector, Bijnor
- Date of Birth: 14 October 1984
- Education: B.Sc. in Economics (GNDU Amritsar), PGDCA (Diploma University, Madras)
- Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi
Career Highlights:
- Joint Magistrate, Unnao
- Chief Development Officer, Bulandshahr
- Special Secretary, Planning Department, Lucknow
- Additional Managing Director, National Health Mission
- District Magistrate of Shamli and Sultanpur
Known for her strict administrative style, Jasjit Kaur has held several key posts in Uttar Pradesh before taking charge of Bijnor earlier this year.
