KOCHI: Fort Kochi RDO P Vishnuraj has been fined Rs 10,000 by the High Court for not complying with the High Court order and the recommendation of the Advocate General's Office. The fine must be paid within seven days to the Kerala State Legal Service Authority. The order of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas also said that money should not be spent from the government treasury.

The High Court in 2017 directed in the plea of Ernakulam Kadungallur native KA Sattar to issue an order within two months on the application to change the land type. The petitioner approached the High Court again because no action was taken after more than a year.

The High Court sought an explanation but there was no response. The government advocate informed the court that the RDO did not respond despite several requests from the Advocate General (AG) office. The High Court criticized this as weakening the justice system and laxity towards the rule of law. The RDO was also directed to issue an order within 14 days.