PATNA, June 21 -- The Indian Engineers' Federation (INDEF), a pan-India registered platform of graduate engineering associations, has demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged misconduct of Bhagalpur district magistrate (DM) Nawal Kishor Choudhary towards Executive Engineer Brajnandan Kumar of the Road Construction Department. The controversy revolves around the delayed land acquisition process for the construction of National Highway-113E. In a letter to the Chief Minister, INDEF chairman S Ananth, vice-chairman Abinash Roul, and general secretary KMI Sayyad on Friday alleged that the executive engineer was subjected to harsh treatment by the DM during a video conference chaired by the Chief Secretary to review the delay in land acquisition for the highway project. "The executive engineer was unnecessarily pulled up and treated rudely by the DM, even though he had minimal involvement in the land acquisition process. As per the law, land acquisition is the responsibility of revenue department officials (DCLRs). The role of the executive engineer is limited to furnishing the site plan for development work. The mother department has very little say in the administrative and financial aspects of land acquisition," the letter stated. The federation also alleged that the DM unjustifiably reprimanded and verbally abused the engineer. Further, the DM reportedly forwarded him to the local police station, from where he was released only after five hours in custody. INDEF said the incident has caused widespread resentment among engineers across the state, leaving many feeling intimidated and helpless. Seeking the Chief Minister's urgent intervention, the federation urged that responsibility for the delay in land acquisition be fixed and that the executive engineer be protected from what it termed as "uncalled-for harassment." It also demanded action against officials allegedly responsible for the delay, claiming the DM and DCLR were attempting to shift the blame onto the engineer. Anjani Kumar, secretary general of INDEF (Eastern Region), also condemned what he described as recurring incidents of administrative high-handedness and misbehaviour towards engineers in recent months. Meanwhile, Bhagalpur DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary, when contacted, defended his actions. He said he had written to higher authorities eight times regarding the engineer's lax approach. "As the executive engineer of the Road Construction Department, it is his duty to act proactively in matters of land acquisition, particularly when the project is being reviewed at the highest level. He cannot evade responsibility by passing the buck," the DM said. Despite repeated attempts, the DM could not be reached for further comment....