Lucknow, July 28 -- The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has directed top Uttar Pradesh home department official Sanjay Prasad to personally appear before it on July 31 after finding that the state had failed to comply with its earlier directions in a custodial death case, including payment of full compensation to the victim's family and framing of a policy on compensation in such cases. Holding that the officer concerned was liable to face proceedings under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, the court directed the principal secretary, home to remain present on July 31 for further proceedings, including framing of charges. The single bench of Justice Saurabh Lavania passed the order on July 24 while hearing a contempt petition alleging violation of a division bench judgement delivered on February 20 this year. The contempt plea was filed by Prema Devi against the bureaucrat. The court observed that the directions issued months ago had not been implemented despite the lapse of the time granted by the division bench. "Thus, this court is of the view that the officer concerned is liable to be punished in terms of Section 12 of the Act of 1971 and therefore presence of the officer concerned namely Shri Sanjay Prasad, Principal Secretary, Home Department, Govt. of U.P., Civil Secretariat, Lucknow, is required before this court on the next date fixed in the case for further proceeding in the matter, which includes framing of charges. In view of above, the above named Officer is directed to appear before this Court on 31.07.2026. List/put up this case on 31.07.2026," the court ordered. According to the court's order, the state failed on two counts: First, it had not paid the entire compensation of Rs.10 lakh to the legal heirs of the deceased as directed by the division bench. Second, it had not framed guidelines for determining compensation in custodial death cases despite a specific judicial direction to do so. htc...