Rajasthan cadre IPS officer Pankaj Choudhary has been demoted for three years by the state’s Department of Personnel over allegations related to his second marriage, allegedly conducted without legally ending the first. Choudhary, a 2009 batch officer, was dismissed in 2019 for “grave personal misconduct” but was reinstated in 2021 following orders from CAT, the Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court.
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Last week, an order downgraded him from Senior Pay Scale (Level 11) to Junior Pay Scale (Level 10) for three years from December 18, 2024. Currently posted as SP, Community Policing, Jaipur, Choudhary called the decision “illegal” and a “contempt of court,” vowing to challenge it. He criticized the delay in issuing the order despite previous legal rulings in his favor.
Known for his outspoken stance, Choudhary has accused past governments of targeting him for his firm actions against riots and corruption. He has previously demanded the arrest of former CM Ashok Gehlot over paper leak cases and alleged political vendetta against him.