A single-judge bench of the Rajasthan High Court on Thursday directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate allegations against Jaipur Discom's chairperson, Aarti Dogra. The court's ruling stems from accusations that Dogra failed to reach a decision regarding a concluded departmental inquiry for several months, raising suspicions of potential corruption.
Background of the Petition
Justice Ravi Chirania issued the order while considering a petition filed by Discom's executive engineer, RK Meena. The petition highlighted issues with the process of a departmental promotion committee (DPC) held in December 2023. Meena's petition contends that promotions were conducted without adhering to a mandatory roster register, violating directives from the Supreme Court and official circulars from the Department of Personnel (DoP). This oversight allegedly prevented Meena from being promoted from executive engineer to superintending engineer.
Allegations of Deliberate Obstruction
During the proceedings, Meena's counsel, Ajatshatru Meena and Movil Jeenwal, raised concerns about what they termed a "deliberate attempt to deny promotion." They noted that three chargesheets were issued to the petitioner shortly after the filing of the petition, only 20 days before the DPC. The court observed that these chargesheets appeared to be a tactical move to obstruct Meena's career advancement.
Despite the completion of the disciplinary inquiry, where the inquiry officer cleared Meena of wrongdoing, Dogra allegedly failed to issue a final order for several months. This delay effectively hindered Meena's eligibility for consideration in the subsequent DPC. The court noted that such inaction suggests potential misconduct on the part of the CMD, warranting investigation by the ACB.
Insufficient Response from Dogra
Previously, the court instructed Dogra to provide a detailed affidavit confirming the maintenance of a roster register. However, instead of submitting the actual register, her office provided only a tabulated summary, which the court found insufficient. During Thursday's hearing, it became evident that Dogra still had not provided comprehensive information regarding the roster maintenance protocols.
Next Steps
The ACB has been tasked with reporting back to the court within three months, as the investigation delves into the process and actions taken by the Jaipur Discom chairperson amid rising concerns of integrity in promoting transparency within the department. The court will continue hearing the matter on Friday.
