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CAT scratches Dogra's extension as Punjab DGP

The Central Administrative Tribunal on Thursday quashed the extension that Punjab government granted its Director General of Police P C Dogra.

CAT Vice-Chairman Justice R K Nehru and V K Majotra granted a seven-day stay on their order to enable the government to appoint a suitable officer as Dogra's replacement.

The tribunal passed its order on a petition filed by Additional Punjab DGPs Sarbjit Singh, Jarnail Singh and Mehal Singh Bhullar.

This was Dogra's second extension of six months.

A 1964 batch Indian Police Service officer, Dogra was due to retire on March 31, 1998. He was then granted extension for six months from April 1 to September 30. The second extension was from October l to March 31,1999.

The CAT observed that a perusal of official records revealed that suitable members of the service were available. There was nothing on record even to remotely suggest that they were lacking in any manner to man the highest police office in the state, it said.

The tribunal said service rules clearly state that a member of the all India service shall compulsorily be retired on attaining the age of 58 years.

It observed that the state took no step to find a replacement for Dogra even when the first extension to Dogra expired.

UNI

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