RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: In a significant development, the long-standing demand of the Chhattisgarh Junior Administrative Service Association has been fulfilled as the state government has extended the Judges Protection Act to revenue officers. Crimes will no longer be directly registered against Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars for judicial decisions made in the course of their duties.

This decision follows persistent advocacy by the association, leading to Revenue Secretary Avinash Champawat issuing an official order to all state commissioners and collectors, instructing them to implement the act.

Previous Situation:

Earlier, dissatisfied parties often bypassed the appeals process after court decisions in tehsils, opting instead to file police complaints directly against presiding officers. FIRs were frequently registered, and presiding officers faced investigation, depriving them of protections guaranteed under the Judges Protection Act of 1985. In some cases, civil courts referred complaints to the police, escalating the situation.

About the Judges Protection Act:

The Judges Protection Act of 1985 shields judges from civil or criminal proceedings for actions taken in their judicial capacity. Section 2(9) of the act defines judges broadly, including officials empowered to make decisive rulings. Section 3(1) ensures immunity from lawsuits for acts performed during judicial proceedings. This protection is now extended to revenue officers, and no cases can be filed against them without departmental clearance.