In a rare and significant development, Padma Jaiswal, a 2003-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been dismissed from service after a protracted 17-year disciplinary process. The removal order, which received final approval from the President of India, was issued earlier this week following recommendations from the Department of Personnel and Training and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Allegations of Corruption and Misuse of Office
The charges against Jaiswal date back to her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh between 2007 and 2008. Local residents filed a complaint in February 2008, accusing her of misappropriating government revenue and misusing her official position. She was initially suspended in April 2008, a suspension later revoked in October 2010.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) initiated formal disciplinary proceedings under Rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules. Charge memoranda were served in 2009 and 2010. Both the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) were consulted during the extensive process, with the UPSC ultimately recommending her removal from service.
A Lengthy Legal Battle
The path to dismissal was complicated by a prolonged legal battle. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) had previously set aside the MHA's disciplinary action, ruling that the Ministry lacked jurisdiction over officers of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories) cadre. This ruling effectively stalled the case for several years.
The Union government challenged the CAT's decision before the Delhi High Court. On April 1 of this year, the High Court ruled in favor of the Centre, stating that the CAT had "erred" in its finding and reinstated the disciplinary proceedings to their previous stage. With this legal hurdle cleared, the MHA swiftly completed the process, recommending the major penalty of removal from service.
Significance of the Dismissal
Dismissals or compulsory retirements are exceptionally rare for IAS officers, making Padma Jaiswal's case particularly noteworthy within the Indian Administrative Service. Throughout her career, spanning over two decades, Jaiswal had held key positions across Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, and Puducherry.
When contacted regarding the development, Jaiswal stated, "I am not aware of any such development or any dismissal order being passed."