New Delhi: In a significant show of solidarity and unrest, a large number of members of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) gathered outside the office of the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), staging a protest demanding justice for their colleague, Deepak Khoda – a 2015 batch CSS officer who recently survived a suicide attempt allegedly triggered by workplace harassment.
The Incident: Suicide Attempt from 7th Floor
On September 29, Deepak Khoda, posted as a Section Officer in the Ministry of Social Justice, jumped from the seventh floor of Shastri Bhawan in an apparent suicide attempt. Miraculously, he survived the fall but sustained serious injuries. The incident sent shockwaves across the bureaucracy and highlighted the urgent need for reform in handling workplace grievances.
Allegations of Harassment and Delayed Action
Mr Khoda reportedly faced sustained harassment at work, with Additional Secretary Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, a 1996-batch IAS officer and Deputy Secretary Narender Singh named in the allegations.
Despite the gravity of the situation, no FIR has been lodged and no action has been taken by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) or MoSJE – over two weeks after the incident.
CSS Forum Leads Protests, Demands Inquiry
The CSS Forum, the official representative body of CSS officers, has actively condemned the incident and called for a high-level, time-bound, and impartial investigation. In a peaceful but powerful protest at Shastri Bhawan, officers carried placards reading “Justice for Deepak Khoda” and “Stop workplace harassment” and chanted slogans like “We want justice”.
CSS officers escalated their protest by marching peacefully at Shastri Bhawan, culminating in a sit-in outside the office of Secretary (Social Justice), Mr Amit Yadav.
The CSS Forum has also pledged legal and moral support to Mr Khoda and reiterated the need for effective grievance redressal mechanisms and mental health support systems within central ministries.
Officers Express Frustration Over Systemic Failures
CSS officers participating in the sit-in protest expressed deep frustration at what they describe as “administrative apathy”. Some openly said they were “losing hope” in the system, pointing to the lack of accountability and continued silence from senior officials.
“This is not just about one officer. It’s about the integrity and safety of the entire Central Secretariat framework,” said one protester. “If even an attempted suicide doesn’t move the system, what will?”
Earlier this week, CSS Forum members met with the Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice, who assured action. However, no concrete steps have followed.
CSS Forum’s Demands to the Government
- Immediate suspension of the accused officers pending investigation.
- Filing of an FIR under relevant sections of IPC.
- Independent and time-bound inquiry with transparent findings.
- Strengthening of internal workplace redressal systems.
- Formal mental health and well-being support structures for CSS officers.
A Crisis of Trust in Bureaucratic Safeguards
The Deepak Khoda case, now gaining national attention, is being seen not just as an isolated incident but as a symbol of deeper systemic issues – lack of accountability, weak grievance mechanisms, and poor mental health awareness in government service.
The CSS fraternity has united in its call for justice and reforms, demanding that this not be “just another file” in the ministry’s bureaucracy.
