Senior Kerala cadre IAS officer B Ashok (IAS:1998:KL), who is known for fighting legal battles and handing out setbacks to the state govt for his postings, was suspended from service on Wednesday. He has been charged with making public comments through media without government consent.
The suspension order, signed by Chief Secretary A Jayathilak (IAS:1991:KL), accuses Ashok of making a series of comments, statements, and communication against the state govt and its departments through different forms of media. The order said Ashok’s actions constituted a breach of discipline and duty.
According to it, disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against him.
Ashok was serving as Principal Secretary of the Sainik Welfare Department when he was suspended. He had earlier successfully fought a legal battle against the state government over his frequent transfers.
Ashok had approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which had stayed his frequent transfers by the left-front government, citing that the transfers were made without the nod of the Civil Services Board (CSB). The CAT had even directed the govt to undertake transfers of IAS officers only through the CSB.
Hence, the present suspension is widely seen as a fallout of a series of legal tussles with the govt at the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). It is also being perceived to be a vindictive action on the part of the govt.
In a significant move, the Bihar government has shifted senior IAS officer CK Anil (IAS:1991:BH) from the post of Principal Secretary of the Revenue and Land Reforms department. The General Administration Department (GAD) issued a notification regarding his transfer on Tuesday.
The move is believed to be a fallout of the ongoing strike by Circle Officers (COs) and revenue officials and the resulting deadlock in the department, leading to increased administrative pressure.
Jai Singh (IAS:2007:BH), a senior IAS officer posted as Secretary in the department, has been assigned the charge in place of Anil, who has now been posted as a consultant with the Bihar State Planning Board.
Anil is said to have ruled the roost in the department during the tenure of former Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, who was also a revenue minister in the previous Nitish Kumar regime. It was during this period that more than 200 employees of the department, including 47 Circle Officers, were suspended.
It was only after the regime changed and CM Samrat Choudhary took over the Revenue and Land Reforms department portfolio that employees’ suspensions were revoked.
However, they refused to resume duty, leading to continued disruption in departmental functioning and continuing deadlock.
The Jharkhand High Court rejected the bail application of jailed senior IAS officer Vinay Choubey (IAS:1999:JH) on Tuesday in the land scam case. Choubey had moved a bail petition before the High Court in a case registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) when he was posted as Deputy Commissioner of the Hazaribag district. Choubey has been facing allegations of being involved in the sale of sewayat lands in the district illegally. He has been in custody since May 20, 2025.
Justice Anubha Rawat Choudhary had reserved the order after completing the hearing and pronounced his verdict on Tuesday, rejecting Choubey’s bail application.
The suspended IAS officer is alleged to have interpolated records of forest lands in the district, got the nature of the land changed through fake documents, and then transferred them to his aide Vinay Singh. Five plots of forest land were allegedly transferred in favour of Singh in an illegal manner.
The issue came to light in 2013, after which all the revenue records created for the forest lands were cancelled and a probe was initiated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
After conducting the detailed investigation, the ACB obtained the sanction to prosecute Choubey in September last year. He is currently behind bars.
This is not the only case in which Choubey is involved. He is also an accused in the liquor scam in which he was granted a default bail by a lower court due to non-submission of the charge sheet within the stipulated time frame.
Controversial Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma (IPS:2011:UP), currently posted in West Bengal as an Election Observer, is in the news again for yet another controversy. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking his removal as an Election Observer in West Bengal.
According to reports, a petition was e-filed on Tuesday under Article 32 of the Constitution, alleging that Sharma compromised the neutrality expected of election observers.
The petition alleges that Sharma indulged in “acts of intimidation” and “undue influence” and has been particularly targeting party candidates since his posting in the South 24 Parganas.
The petitioner has urged the top court to intervene in the matter and issue directions to safeguard the integrity of the polls, citing provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandate observers to independently monitor elections and ensure adherence to democratic norms.
The plea contends that his conduct has been objectionable, as it undermines the level playing field required for free and fair elections and erodes public confidence in the electoral process.
Often dubbed the “Singham of UP,” the petitioner contends that Sharma’s actions have belied the neutrality required for an observer appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The development comes as the state is underway with the second and final phase of voting on April 29 across 142 constituencies. The counting of votes is to take place on May 4, leading to the declaration of results the same day.
The Telangana government on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) appointed senior IPS officer CV Anand (IPS:1991:TG) as Director General of Police (DGP), replacing B Shivdhar Reddy (IPS:1994:TG), who is set to superannuate on April 30.
Anand, who is currently serving as Special Chief Secretary (Home) since September 2025, has been transferred and posted as DGP with effect from the date he assumes charge. He is expected to take over the top post in the first week of May.
The appointment has been made in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Union Public Service Commission and based on the recommendations of the empanelment committee.
Shivdhar Reddy, who had a relatively short tenure as DGP, is likely to be moved as Advisor to the Chief Minister.
Anand brings extensive policing experience, having earlier served as Commissioner of Police in Hyderabad and Cyberabad, as well as Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. He has also held additional charge as Director General (Vigilance & Enforcement).
He is a recipient of the Police Medal for Gallantry and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
The Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS officer, Ahmad Babu (IAS:2003:AP), seems to be in for major trouble, as the High Court on Monday directed the state and central governments to take appropriate action against him. The court’s direction came on the representation of the AP Govt Employees Association, which leveled serious allegations of irregularities in tax collection and harassing employees without clearing the promotions file against the IAS officer.
Ahmad Babu is currently serving as Chief Commissioner of state taxes.
The High Court went to the extent of observing that nothing seems to be right in the Commercial Taxes dept. under him.
Justice Battu Devanand was so upset that he directed the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Secretary, the Establishment Officer, the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), and the Chief Secretary to consider the representation submitted by the association and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within two months.
Justice Devanand also directed the officials to submit a detailed action-taken report to the registrar (judicial) by the first week of July and directed the registry to place the report before the court for further consideration.
Not only this, but the court also asked the Chief Secretary to consider earlier representations, submitted on Dec 16 last year and March 27 this year.
Though, the High Court said that before taking a decision on the March 27 representation, an opportunity must be given to both the employees’ association and Ahmad Babu to present their submissions.
Delhi, April 28, 2026: While approving the annual standalone and consolidated financial results for the year ended March 31, 2026, REC Limited states that the Indian power sector is at the cusp of new vibrance owing to numerous initiatives taken by Government of India. The legacy loss-making power distribution companies achieved a rare, collective overall net profit, marking a significant turnaround. This improvement led to a stable environment, indicating improved quality of assets, resulting to reduction in risk premiums. REC, as a responsible lender focused towards nation building, has proactively passed on such reduced risk premium to its borrowers by rationalising its yield on loan assets.
The continued focus on sustainable growth is showing results with the Net Stage-3 loans (NPA) nearly “Zero” (0.12%) and Stage-2 loans reduced by 75% YoY. Without compromising on the asset quality, REC has registered a growth in loan book of around ₹ 17,000 crores during the last year. As a result, the loan book is at an all-time high of ₹5.84 lakh crore as on March 31, 2026. In conjunction with government vision, the Renewable loan book increased to ₹75,347 crore as on March 31, 2026, reflecting 30% growth.
Inspite of challenging macro economic situations and geopolitical uncertainity, REC has registered its highest ever annual net Profit of ₹16,282 crore during financial year ended 31st March 2026.
Key Operational and Financial Highlights for the year 2025-26
• Sanctions: ₹4,09,097 crore v/s ₹3,37,179 crore, up by 21%
• Disbursement: ₹2,11,189 crore v/s ₹1,91,185 crore, up by 10%
• Disbursements (excluding RBPF): ₹1,46,227 crore v/s ₹1,13,897 crore, up by 28%
• Net Worth: ₹84,290 crore as on March 31, 2026 v/s ₹77,638 crore as on March 31, 2025, up by 9%.
• Capital Adequacy Ratio (CRAR): 23.11% as at March 31, 2026, indicating ample opportunity to support future growth
The interest spread and NIM remains healthy at 2.62% and 3.43% respectively. The strong profitability has resulted in Earnings Per Share (EPS) increasing to ₹61.71 per share, for the year ended March 31, 2026.
Continuing with the tradition to reward its shareholders, the Board of Directors of the Company has declared the final dividend of ₹1.55 per equity share (on face value of ₹10/- each) with this total dividend for the financial year 2025-26 is ₹18.55 per share.
REC has demonstrated consistent excellence in MoU performance, achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating for three consecutive years (FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25). Further, REC moved up four places from 9th to 5th in the ranking of net profit‑making CPSEs, as per DPE’s PE Survey Report for FY’25. Based on its consistent business, operational, and financial performance and a positive future growth outlook, REC’s ‘Maharatna’ status was reaffirmed by the DPE after the review undertaken in Jan’26.
Sustainability is at the core of REC. Building on this legacy, REC has integrated ESG into every facet of its operations with core focus on renewable portfolio growth. This ESG excellence is reflected in the NSE ESG Ratings, where REC achieved the highest rating among all companies rated in the country.
Indore’s infamous gambling incident at the alleged farmhouse of a female IAS officer took a new turn after the suspended TI (Station House Officer) alleged that after catching the gamblers, he was pressured to remove the name of the female IAS officer from the FIR. The TI’s allegation came during the hearing in the High Court on Monday when strict questions were raised about the police’s action in the incident.
The TI has filed two petitions challenging the suspension and the charge sheet.
The court also sought a response from the government on this, but no clear answer was received.
After hearing the arguments, the High Court reserved its verdict in the case.
It should be recalled that many people were caught gambling at the farmhouse of IAS officer Vandana Vaidya (IAS:2009:MP) on the night of March 10-11. She is serving as MD of MP Finance Corporation in Indore.
Following this incident, many police officials, including Manpur TI Lokendra Singh Hihore, were suspended. A few days later, the rest of the police officials were reinstated, but action against the TI continued.
TI Hihore filed a petition in the High Court stating that he was transferred and harassed after his refusal not to add the IAS officer’s name to the FIR and to change the crime scene and was even suspended the same day.
The TI also said that a big gambling operation was caught in Simrol on March 15, but no action was taken against the TI there.
The court’s decision on the TI’s suspension is reserved, while the hearing on the charge sheet is pending.
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Vivek Nishant Nath for appointment as Director (Commercial) of National Mineral Development Corporation Limited. The recommendation was made following interviews conducted on April 25, 2026.
Nath is currently serving as Chief General Manager (Sales and Marketing) at Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd. His name has been forwarded to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for final approval, subject to vigilance clearance and completion of other prescribed formalities.
The post of Director (Commercial) at NMDC fell vacant on January 7, 2026, after Vishwanath Suresh moved to become Chairman and Managing Director of MOIL Limited. Subsequently, Vinay Kumar, Director (Technical), was given additional charge of Director (Commercial).
PESB had advertised the vacancy on January 19, 2026, inviting applications from eligible candidates.
The following 11 applicants were interviewed in the selection meeting :
Satyender Rai, Executive Director, NMDC Limited
Rabindra Narayan, Executive Director, Head of Project(HOP), BIOM, Kirandul Complex, NMDC Limited
The Chhattisgarh High Court denied bail to former IAS officer Anil Tuteja (IAS:2003:CG) in the 50-crore mineral scam case. Tuteja was arrested in February this year under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
It was alleged before the High Court that Tuteja misused his position in the Industry Department to manipulate the allocation of works under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund. Tuteja was serving as Additional Secretary of the Industry Department when the alleged scam took place.
While denying bail to the retired IAS officer in the DMF scam case, Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas observed that the court has looked into the gravity of the offence, the role played by the petitioner, and the position of the petitioner to influence the witnesses as a senior officer in the department and a huge amount of public funds were pilfered by the applicant in connivance with the suppliers.
The court added that given his influential position previously, there was a strong likelihood that Tuteja might tamper with evidence, influence witnesses, and obstruct the course of investigation if released on bail.
The scam was unearthed by an ACB investigation based on the ED’s 2024 report regarding corruption in the use of DMF funds in the Kobra district, following which Tuteja was arrested for his involvement in the scam.
The High Court stated that the former IAS officer’s custody was required to elicit the truth regarding the allegations against him.
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