Jaipur: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jaipur Bench, has granted interim relief to senior IPS officer Pankaj Choudhary, directing the Rajasthan Government to provisionally consider his long-pending promotion in the upcoming Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting.
The tribunal’s order comes amid prolonged delays in disciplinary investigations that have stalled the officer’s career progression for several years, raising serious questions about administrative accountability and procedural fairness.
Background of the IPS Pankaj Choudhary Pending Promotion Case
Pankaj Choudhary, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer currently serving as Superintendent of Police and Nodal Officer (Community Policing), Rajasthan, approached the CAT after his promotion was repeatedly withheld despite eligibility.
According to submissions made before the tribunal, multiple departmental cases pending against the officer were cited as the sole reason for denying promotion, even though investigations in these cases were not completed within a reasonable or court-mandated timeframe.
About IPS Officer Pankaj Choudhary
Pankaj Choudhary is a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving in the Rajasthan cadre. He has held key leadership roles, including Superintendent of Police and Nodal Officer for Community Policing in the state.
Known for his administrative experience and field-level policing work, he has been associated with public safety initiatives and police reforms in Rajasthan.
Tribunal’s Observations on Delay and Administrative Lapses
The CAT bench, comprising Member (Judicial) Ranjana Shah and Member (Administrative) Lok Ranjan, took serious note of the prolonged inaction by the state government.
Key Observations in IPS Pankaj Choudhary Pending Promotion Case
The tribunal had earlier directed the Rajasthan government to conduct time-bound investigations in all pending cases against the officer.
Despite clear directions, none of the investigations were completed, leading to indefinite stagnation of the officer’s promotion.
The bench observed that administrative delay cannot be used as a tool to indefinitely deny career advancement to an officer who remains otherwise eligible.
Direction to Consider Promotion in Upcoming DPC
Taking note of the undue delay, the CAT directed the Rajasthan government to:
- Provisionally consider Pankaj Choudhary’s case in the forthcoming DPC meeting
- Ensure that his promotion is assessed without prejudice to the pending investigations
If found suitable by the DPC, Choudhary is likely to be promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
Promotion Subject to Final Outcome of Investigations
While granting interim relief, the tribunal also clarified important safeguards:
- The provisional promotion, if granted, will remain subject to the final outcome of the CAT petition
- It will also depend on the completion and results of the pending disciplinary investigations
This ensures a balance between administrative fairness and institutional discipline, preventing misuse of provisional relief while protecting officers from indefinite career stagnation.
