The Delhi High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against an IAS officer who had lodged 66 FIRs against Azam Khan and his sons.
NEW DELHI: This week (23rd April): The Delhi High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against Uttar Pradesh IAS Officer Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, pertaining to his registration of 66 first information reports (FIRs) against Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Khan. The court rejected the PIL, stating that it is not maintainable in service matters and can only be filed by non-appointees questioning the legality or extension of a successful candidate/officer.
The Delhi High Court dismissed a PIL filed by Vijay Kumar against UP IAS Officer Aunjaneya Kumar Singh. The petitioner alleged that Singh’s posting in Uttar Pradesh since 2015 was in violation of laws. However, the court held that a PIL cannot be entertained in service matters and is limited to non-appointees questioning the legality or extension of an officer.
Vijay Kumar had sought directions from the court to the Central Government to consider his representation and take necessary action regarding Singh’s alleged illegal posting. He argued that Singh’s posting and subsequent extensions were contrary to relevant rules, including Rule 6(2)(ii) of the All India Services Rules and Clauses 15 and 16 of the Indian Administrative Service Cadre Rule, 1954.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) lodged by Vijay Kumar. Kumar had claimed that Singh had been stationed in Uttar Pradesh since 2015, contravening legal statutes.
READ ALSO: SC Seeks Gujarat Government’s Response on Bail Plea of Retired IAS Officer Pradeep Sharma
After considering the case, the court dismissed the PIL, along with the applications.
The Court noted that a PIL cannot be upheld in service-related issues, specifying that only individuals who are not appointed can challenge the legality or extension of a successful candidate or officer.
“Considering the aforementioned, this Court concludes that the current writ petition is not sustainable. Consequently, it is dismissed along with the associated applications,” the Court decreed.
It is worth noting that Singh took action against Azam Khan and his son for their alleged violation of the model code of conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Khan had pleaded guilty and served jail time in connection with these FIRs.
Currently, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh is serving as the Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh.
CASE TITLE: Vijay Kumar v Union of India & Ors
