Jaipur: In what could become a landmark case in Rajasthan’s administrative history, the Department of Personnel (DoP) is preparing to serve a chargesheet to a senior IAS officer following approval from Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. This move comes shortly after the state government stopped the pension of another IAS officer — potentially marking the first instance of such back-to-back disciplinary action under the current administration.
Allegations Rooted in Tenure as Sri Ganganagar Collector
The chargesheet pertains to alleged irregularities in land allotment during the officer’s posting as District Collector in Sri Ganganagar. Specifics of the case reportedly include violations of established land allocation procedures, possible favoritism, and bypassing of due administrative checks.
The officer in question also served as Collector in two other districts during the tenure of the previous Congress government, raising broader questions about the pattern of appointments and accountability in administrative decisions.
Controversial Past Tied to Ministerial Patronage
The officer was previously at the center of a political controversy when he was appointed as Director of a department led by a powerful cabinet minister in the earlier Congress-led government. During this time, a rift developed between the officer and the department’s Principal Secretary.
In a dramatic escalation, the IAS officer secretly recorded a phone conversation with the Principal Secretary, during which allegedly derogatory comments were made about the minister. The recording was handed over to the minister, who then escalated the issue to the then Chief Minister, leading to the early transfer of the Principal Secretary, just 10 months into the post.
Three months later, the officer himself was transferred. However, due to his close ties with the minister, he was subsequently appointed as Collector in three different districts, a rare privilege that drew attention within bureaucratic circles.
Marginalized in Current Administration
Under the present BJP-led government, the officer’s influence appears to have waned. He has been assigned a marginal post, indicating a sharp fall from grace. With the chargesheet now underway, the officer could face formal disciplinary proceedings, which may lead to suspension, demotion, or even dismissal, depending on the outcome of the inquiry.
Setting a Precedent for Bureaucratic Accountability
The decision to proceed with the chargesheet, particularly after stopping another IAS officer’s pension, signals a firm stance by the Bhajan Lal Sharma government on bureaucratic accountability and administrative transparency. Senior officials in the DoP indicated that the case is being pursued with “strong documentary backing.”
The development is being closely watched by civil service observers and bureaucratic circles, as it may set a precedent for how politically sensitive misconduct cases are handled in the future.
