DM Rajouri suspends KAS officer using derogatory remarks against subordinate, ordered inquiry.

GNSONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI, SEPTEMBER 07:–District Magistrate Rajouri, Vikas Kundal on a written complaint placed Assistant Co mmissioner Panchayat (ACP)- a J&K Administrative Service (JKAS) officer- for allegedly using derogatory against his subordinate, a Secretary Panchayat.
Sanjeet Sharma, Secretary Panchayat in a written complaint claimed that he along with his three colleagues, namely Zaheer Malik; Utish Ashok, both Secretary Panchayat; and Tahir Mirza, MIS operator along with Abdul Rashid Kohli, ACP on Tuesday went to a restaurant for lunch.
“Others ordered non-vegetarian meals while being a vegetarian, I ordered a vegetarian meal. On my being vegetarian, the ACP started giving a lecture on the importance of non-vegetarian meals including beef” said the complainant in the complaint.
“Objectionable comments of the ACP on the religious sanctity shocked me which was unbearable & unacceptable at any cost. Being my senior, I objected where I can, but he didn’t stop & continue to disrespect our religion” the complainant added.
He further said after my objection (being a subordinate) to stop such remarks, ACP threatens me with quashing the post.
The ACP also made more derogatory remarks against the complainant and his religion which can’t be made public.
After receiving a written complaint against the ACP, Abdul Rashid Kohli for making some objectionable remarks against a particular community while having lunch at Blue Moon restaurant with his four subordinates during office hours, Vikas Kundal in order placed the ACP under suspension and initiated an inquiry into this incident.
“This conduct of the officer is not only a violation of service conduct rules, but also an issue of hurting religious sentiments of other community and has the potential of creating law & order problems within the district” read DM order No.DMR/JC/22-23/2245-47 dt 6/9/2022.
“Keeping in view of the above, Abdul Rashid Kholi, ACP is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect. A committee headed by Pawan Parihar, ADDC Rajouri shall enquire the matter & report within 15 days” the order read.
Vikas Kundal, DM in his order has also sought confirmation of the order from the Secretary, General Administration Department (J&K Government) & requested to post another officer as AC Panchayat Rajouri.
Meanwhile, Vibodh Gupta, ex-MLC and General Secretary J&K BJP has demanded the arrest of the ACP in order to restore confidence among the minority community.
Islamic Welfare Organisation (IWO) Rajouri through its president Shafqat Mir has demanded revocation of DM’s suspension order and demanded action only after completion of the investigation in this matter.
“It is morally wrong to initiate an action against ACP and the District Administration should first conduct a thorough investigation & then initiate an action,” said Mir.