CEO of Verinag Development Authority Released from Civil Prison Following Court Stay – Alfaaz – The Words

Srinagar: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Verinag Development Authority, M. Rouf Rehman, who was taken into judicial custody for allegedly defying court orders, has been released following a stay granted by the Principal District Judge (PDJ) Anantnag.

Rehman, a senior JKAS officer, had been detained by Jammu and Kashmir Police in early this month after directives from the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Anantnag in Execution Petition No. 147/EP (Case No. 133/2023), titled Hamidullah Bawani vs Union Territory of J&K and Others. The Sub-Judge had ordered the Superintendent of District Jail, Anantnag, and the SHO Anantnag to take Rehman into custody until October 15, 2025, directing that he be produced via video conferencing on that date.

The detention followed allegations of non-compliance with a decree passed by the court and enforcement of a National Lok Adalat award dated March 14, 2015, and a subsequent order of November 17, 2018. The decree holder, Hamidullah Bawani of Mir Maidan, Doru, through Advocate Fayaz Ahmad Sodagar, had sought execution of the award against Rehman, listed as Judgment Debtor No. 4.

In September, the court had expressed displeasure over Rehman’s failure to respond to a show-cause notice and noted continued non-compliance. Measures taken included attachment of the Verinag Development Authority’s Treasury account at Dooru and issuance of a bailable arrest warrant of ₹50,000.

On Monday, the Court of PDJ Anantnag admitted Rehman’s appeal and stayed the operation of the civil prison order, effectively securing his release pending further proceedings. He was represented by Advocate Ilyas Nazir Laway, while Advocate Fayaz Ahmad Sodagar appeared for the decree holder.