Amritsar: Former IAS officer and current BJP general secretary Jagmohan Singh Raju has called for a formal investigation into the alleged misconduct of IAS and IPS officers in Punjab.
The 1985 batch Tamil Nadu cadre officer, who resigned in 2022 and entered politics, wrote to the Cabinet Secretary of India, Dr. TV Somanathan, urging action against bureaucrats accused of politically motivated interference during welfare awareness camps.
Allegations of Political Interference in Welfare Awareness Camps
Raju’s complaint highlights incidents where IAS and IPS officers allegedly obstructed non-political awareness camps organized by BJP leaders. These camps aimed to educate disadvantaged communities about inclusive education under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and other flagship Central Government schemes.
According to Raju, on August 30, 2025, during a camp held by his Trust in Amritsar, he was unlawfully arrested by city police, threatened, and warned against continuing such initiatives. Reports indicate that in other districts as well, Deputy Commissioners and District Police Chiefs have used force to halt similar camps.
Violation of All India Services Conduct Rules
In his letter to the Cabinet Secretary, Raju cited the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, emphasizing that officers must maintain political neutrality (Rule 3(1A)) and refrain from actions contrary to laws and regulations (Rule 3(2B)(x)). He demanded that officers found guilty of such misconduct be marked with negative entries in their service records.
Raju also urged the Cabinet Secretary to direct the Punjab Chief Secretary to ensure that such politically motivated interference does not recur.
Profile of Jagmohan Singh Raju
Jagmohan Singh Raju had a distinguished bureaucratic career spanning 35 years, during which he achieved the apex scale rank equivalent to Chief Secretary in multiple states. He served in various key positions including Managing Director of SIDCO and Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of HRD. He resigned from service in 2022 and subsequently entered politics, becoming BJP’s general secretary in Punjab.
Political Motivation Alleged in the Interference
Raju accused certain officers of acting under political influence to obstruct lawful welfare programs targeted at the poor and marginalized sections. He termed their actions as “plainly politically motivated and contrary to law,” highlighting the misuse of power to disrupt welfare outreach.
Next Steps
The letter has been sent to the Cabinet Secretary, and further action including a formal inquiry is anticipated. The issue has drawn attention to the fine line bureaucrats must maintain between political neutrality and public service, particularly in politically sensitive states like Punjab.
