High Court Rebukes Umaria Collector for Seizing Brothers’ Property Instead of Husband’s; Orders Appearance in Court

Umaria, Madhya Pradesh: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the functioning of the district administration in a maintenance case in Manpur, Umaria. The court had ordered the seizure of a husband’s property for failing to pay maintenance, but the administration mistakenly seized the property of his brothers instead.

Court Orders Appearance of Collector and Tehsildar
Anita Loni, a resident of Chandwar village in Manpur Tehsil, has been struggling to obtain maintenance from her husband, Rajman Loni, who was ordered by the court to pay ₹3,000 per month. Rajman failed to make any payments. Consequently, the court ordered the seizure of his movable and immovable property. However, as Rajman had no property in his name, the administration seized his brothers’ property and handed it over to the village head (Sarpanch), an action the court deemed inappropriate.

The High Court had directed the Umaria Collector and Manpur Tehsildar to comply with the court order and appear in person. Both officials failed to do so. The court has now issued a final notice, ordering them to appear on 23 January 2026.

Background: Dispute Since 2015
Anita Loni’s dispute with her husband dates back to 2015, after which she moved to her parental home in Rohnia village, Maihar district. The couple could not reconcile, and Anita approached the court seeking maintenance for herself and her two children. The court’s order to pay ₹3,000 per month has remained unfulfilled.

Seizure of Brothers’ Property Contested
According to Advocate Purushottam Das Jaiswal, the seizure should have targeted Rajman Loni’s assets. Since he had no property in his name, the authorities wrongly confiscated his brothers’ property and handed it to the Sarpanch. This act was not legally justified, prompting the High Court’s strict warning.

Final Opportunity for Officials
Following the advocate’s submission, the High Court has given the Umaria Collector and Manpur Tehsildar a final chance to appear in court on 23 January 2026. Failure to comply may lead to the issuance of warrants against them.