JAMMU: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation highlighting alleged hushing up of Rajouri Development Authority Scam wherein instead of registering an FIR despite the approval of the Director Vigilance, J and K Vigilance Organization the same was converted by SVO into Regular Departmental Action (RDA) against the delinquent officers/ officials of Rajouri Development Authority namely Mohammad Javed Khan (IAS) the then Chief Executive Officer, Rajouri Development Authority presently Custodian General, J and K Government, Khushal Chand the then Executive Engineer, Devi Dass Heer, Executive Engineer and Gurcharan Singh Junior Engineer, Rajouri Development Authority.
A Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice B.S Walia after hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocate Suraj Singh appearing for the petitioner, Senior AAG Seema Shekhar appearing for GAD directed the Commissioner / Secretary General Administration Department to ensure the appointment of a new Enquiry Officer in terms of Division Bench Order earlier passed on May 2, 2016 when the Division Bench on the assurance of then Advocate General D.C. Raina had directed the GAD to appoint new Enquiry Officer to conduct departmental enquiry against Mohd Javed Khan (IAS) the then Chief Executive Officer Rajouri Development Authority and presently Custodian General J&K as the previous Enquiry Officer R.K. Verma (KAS) then Director Tourism Jammu had expressed his inability to conduct the enquiry in view of Mohd Javed Khan being senior to him and also inducted into Indian Administrative Service.
When this PIL came up for hearing today Advocate S.S. Ahmed appearing for the petitioner drew the attention of the Division Bench towards order dated May 02, 2016 passed by the Division Bench wherein GAD had been directed to file fresh status report indicating the appointment of new Enquiry Officer for conducting departmental enquiry against Mohd Javed Khan and others in the alleged Rajouri Development Authority Scam.
Advocate S.S. Ahmed further submitted that more than 04 months have elapsed since the passing of order dated May 02, 2016 but the GAD is totally unmoved and all out attempt is being made to shield the high profile IAS Officer and other officials who played with the State Exchequer while serving in Rajouri Development Authority. Advocate Ahmed sought the personal appearance of the Commissioner / Secretary GAD in view of his non-serious approach in not implementing the directions of the court. He further lamented the casual / non-serious approach of GAD towards the directions of the court.
However Senior AAG Seema Shekhar appearing for GAD while resisting the arguments of Advocate S.S. Ahmed submitted that due to the prevailing turmoil in Srinagar, latest status report has not been filed by her in compliance to earlier order dated May 02, 2016 and requested the Division Bench that She be allowed further four weeks time to do the needful.
After considering the submissions of both the sides, the Division Bench comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice B.S Walia directed the Commissioner / Secretary General Administration Department to ensure the appointment of a new Enquiry Officer in terms of Division Bench Order earlier passed on 2nd May, 2016 and also directed Senior AAG Seema Khajooria Shekhar to file the status report in terms of Division Bench Order dated 2nd May, 2016 within four weeks.