Court directs GAD to file Action Taken Report
Jammu: Today Justice Tashi Rabstan of Jammu and Kashmir High Court (Jammu Wing) in a significant order directed Secretary to Govt. General Administration Department (GAD) to file Action Taken Report (ATR) before the next date of hearing with regard to communication No.101/Misc.-J/1604-06 dated October, 1, 2014 whereby then Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu (IAS) had recommended strict action against Forest Guard turned Additional PRO Kewal Krishan Sharma. In the communication the then Divisional Commissioner, Jammu informed GAD that a report was published in the newspapers that SDM, Khour was distributing relief to the flood affected people of Panchayat Palatan, Block Khour through Kewal Krishan PRO to then Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand. Taking cognizance of the matter the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu was directed vide No.101/Misc.-J/1571-72 dated September, 28, 2014 to issue show cause notice to SDM Khour for violation of Service Conduct Rules by promoting a political party/leader and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu vide his No.DMJ/PA/ 2014/160-63 dated September, 29, 2014 reported that the basic mischief was done by PRO to then Deputy Chief Minister who came to the place of distribution of relief with his PSOs (Security) and intentionally hijacked the relief distribution function with the help of his PSOs and got few photographs clicked and sent them for publication in a newspaper. The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu further reported that there are discrete reports about the harassment and misuse of official position by the said PRO especially in offices of CEO, Jammu, Director School Education, Jammu and the Deputy Commissioner further recommended that the activities of the said PRO be got probed and consequent action as required under law be initiated.
When this much publicized petition filed by Prof. S.K. Bhalla came up for hearing the petitioner in person submitted that the high profile former APRO is being shielded by the General Administration Department as the then Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu had recommended strict action against the forest guard turned APRO way back in October, 2014 but till date no action has been taken against the said APRO. He further submitted that Kewal Krishan is in possession of important evidences both documentary as well as electronic which will expose the misdeeds of then Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand.
Upon this Justice Tashi Rabstan took serious view of the matter and directed Secretary to Govt. General Administration Department (GAD) to file Action Taken Report (ATR) before the next date of hearing with regard to communication No.101/Misc.-J/1604-06 dated October, 1, 2014.
Justice Tashi Rabstan further observed that perusal of the status report filed by Mukesh Singh (IPS) Inspector General of Police (Personnel) PHQ reveal that PSOs and Guard provided to Kewal Krishan Sharma stands withdrawn and to that extent the grievance of the petitioner has been redressed.
Prof. S.K. Bhalla appearing in person also drew the attention of the Court to the order dated April, 27, 2015 whereby the Court had deferred the impleadment of the then SSPs namely Atul Goel and Anand Jain. He further submitted that this consideration had been deferred till the filing of the version by Kewal Krishan Sharma who had sought time to disclose his stand. The petitioner further submitted that reply stands filed by Kewal Krishan through his counsel and today both the former SSPs be arrayed as party respondents as they provided undue security cover on political considerations to the forest guard turned Additional PRO Kewal Sharma and they be asked to explain their conduct.
After considering the submissions of the petitioner Justice Tashi Rabstan directed that the question of the impleadment of the then SSPs Anand Jain and Atul Goel will be considered on the next date of hearing.
It may be recalled that on July, 30, 2015 when the petition was listed in the Court of Justice Tashi Rabstan, Kewal Krishan Sharma appeared in person and created sensation in the Court when he levelled serious allegations of three murders, rape, corruption and immorality against the then Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and also alleged threat to his life from two cops and the Former Deputy Chief Minister. The Court had directed him to file his allegations in black and white before the next date of hearing.
However today Kewal Krishan Sharma did not appear before the Court nor he filed any updated version with regard to his utterances/allegations levelled in the court on July, 30, 2015.
Looking into the importance of the matter and urgency involved Justice Tashi Rabstan directed the Registry to list this petition on August, 26, 2015 for further consideration.
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