Cop challenges demotion to rank of sub-inspector

Harinder Singh Sekhon has challenged the UT SSP’s decision of demoting him from the rank of inspector to sub-inspector before the Central Administrative Tribunal’s Chandigarh Bench.

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The UT Police have demoted inspector Sekhon following a departmental inquiry into allegations of his involvement in an alleged graft case.

In the application filed through advocate Rohit Seth, Sekhon challenged the order dated December 24, 2024, whereby punishment of reduction in rank as sub-inspector on the applicant was imposed.

He said he had joined the department as Probationer ASI in 1997, got promoted as sub-inspector in 2005 and thereafter vide order dated June 5, 2015, by Deputy Inspector General of Police he got promoted to the rank of inspector of police.

Sekhon’s counsel said the applicant had brought two gold medals in world games and has won title of Mr Olympia three times and brought laurels to the Chandigarh Police.

The counsel assailed the action of the respondents on the ground that as per Rule 12.1 read with proviso to rule 16.1(2) of the Punjab Police Rules and Standing Order No. 44/2023, the Appointing Authority of the rank of Inspector is the Deputy Inspector General of Police.

He said from the stage of decision to proceed departmentally against the applicant till passing of order of reduction in rank, the decisions have been taken by a lower authority than the appointing authority as provided for in the Punjab Police Rules. He cited various orders of apex court and High Courts in this regards.

The counsel has sought interim relief that during pendency of the present application the operation of impugned order dated December 24, 2024, be stayed.

On the other hand, the counsel for the respondents has contested that the applicant has attended the inquiry proceedings in furtherance of the impugned charge memo and only thereafter the impugned punishment order has been passed by the disciplinary authority.

The counsel also contested that the applicant has not exhausted the remedies available to him under the Punjab Police Rules.

After hearing of the arguments the tribunal directed the appellate authority not to pass any order in the appeal preferred by the applicant till the next date.

The counsel for the respondents may have instructions/file short reply qua interim relief sought by the applicant by the next date.

Plea for interim relief shall be considered on the next date on January 30.