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Allahabad HC issues notice to ex-UP DGP Prashant Kumar for objectionable language

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LO Bureau
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Prashant Kumar ex-UP DGP

In an intriguing development, the Allahabad High Court issued a personal notice to former Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar (IPS:1990:UP) on Friday while hearing a criminal writ petition. The court has sought Kumar’s explanation for using objectionable language in his official letter.

The High Court ordered the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Lucknow, to serve the notice within 48 hours through the DGP. The DGP will then send the notice to the former DGP at his current residence. The court also directed the Registrar (Compliance) to communicate the order to the CJM, Lucknow, within 48 hours.

This order was passed by a division bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena while hearing a criminal petition filed by a lawyer named Amit Kumar Singh alias Sonu.

Prashant Kumar, who was earlier posted as ADG (Law and Order), has been directed to file a personal affidavit in response to the notice, providing an explanation regarding his official letter, which contained objectionable language.

The High Court deemed the language used in paragraph one of that letter “objectionable” and directed the former ADG to file a show-cause affidavit through his current residence address, explaining the objectionable language.

It should be pointed out here that Kumar was appointed as the Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) in December 2025.

The next hearing will be held on April 28.

Dr K S Somashekhar appointed Secretary in Rajya Sabha Secretariat

By
LO Bureau
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KS Somashekhar

The Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri CP Radhakrishnan, has appointed Dr K S Somashekhar as Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat with effect from April 18, 2026.

Dr Somashekhar, a 1993 entrant to the Secretariat, brings over three decades of experience in parliamentary functioning. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as Additional Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. He has also held key positions including Joint Secretary and Director, with significant experience in parliamentary interpretation, administration and committee work.

A native of Kolar in Karnataka, he began his career as a Parliamentary interpreter in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat and rose through the ranks over the years. He has also served in senior capacities in the Government of Karnataka and represented India at various international parliamentary forums.

Dr Somashekhar has undergone specialised training in parliamentary practices in the United Kingdom and the European Union, and has participated in Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meetings in Geneva.

Academically, he holds a Ph.D. in Literature and is proficient in multiple languages including Kannada, Hindi, English, Telugu and Tamil. His appointment as Secretary marks a significant milestone in his long career in parliamentary service.

Govt preparing institutions for evolving governance demands: Personnel Minister Jitendra Singh

By
LO Bureau
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Women's represenation in IAS

The Union Government is expanding capacity building for scientists and academics in its efforts to prepare institutions for evolving governance demands. This was disclosed by Union Minister of Personnel and Training Jitendra Singh on Friday while addressing the valedictory ceremony of Sadhana Saptah 2026 in Delhi.

The Sadhana (Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement) Saptah is virtually an initiative that aims to equip institutions for future governance needs. It has been termed one of the largest collaborative capacity-building efforts across India’s civil services ecosystem.

Singh described artificial intelligence and digital tools as key enablers of future-ready governance. He also added that government employees are increasingly adopting emerging competencies to keep pace with change.

But Singh cautioned that technology must be used only to complement human judgment, as integrity remains central to public service.

The minister also pointed out that the government is also expanding the scope of training to new domains, including science administrators and academicians, with similar orientation efforts being explored for parliamentarians and ministers.

Singh empashised that this reflects a broader approach to preparing institutions for evolving governance demands.



Sukhdev Singh appointed Non-Executive Chairman of PTC India

By
LO Bureau
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Sukhdev Singh IAS

PTC India Limited has appointed Sukhdev Singh (IAS, Retd.) as its Non-Executive Chairman, following a Board decision taken on April 16. His appointment will be effective after receiving consent from the CMDs of the four promoter companies, and he will hold the position until November 10, 2028.

The move comes as part of the company’s governance restructuring, under which the roles of Chairman and Managing Director have been separated.

A 1987-batch IAS officer, Singh retired in 2024 after serving as Chief Secretary of Jharkhand and holding several senior administrative positions. He was inducted as an Independent Director on the board of PTC India in November 2025.

Kaushal Raj Sharma appointed LG Secretary, moves from Delhi Jal Board

By
LO Bureau
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Kaushal Raj Sharma IAS

Senior IAS officer Kaushal Raj Sharma (IAS:2006:UP), currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Delhi Jal Board, has been appointed as Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi with immediate effect on Friday.

Sharma’s appointment marks a significant move within the Delhi administration, placing him in a key position in the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat.

Notably, Sharma had joined the AGMUT cadre (Delhi segment) on inter-cadre deputation from the Uttar Pradesh cadre in May 2025. Within 24 hours of his deputation, he was appointed as CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, replacing Shilpa Shinde (IAS:2006:AGMUT).

At the time of his move to Delhi, there was considerable speculation in bureaucratic circles regarding his possible posting as Secretary to the Chief Minister. However, he was then assigned the crucial role of heading the Delhi Jal Board, which is responsible for managing the capital’s water supply and infrastructure.

A 2006-batch IAS officer, Sharma is known for his administrative track record in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Varanasi, where he served as District Magistrate and later as Divisional Commissioner. He played a key role in executing major infrastructure and urban development projects, including the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

Karnataka IAS Harsh Gupta’s transfer evokes sharp reactions on social media

By
LO Bureau
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Harsh Gupta IAS

The recent transfer of senior Karnataka cadre IAS officer Harsh Gupta (IAS:1997:KN) is creating a buzz on social media, evoking a sharp reaction against it. Gupta was recently transferred from the post of Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department without being given a new posting. But what has stirred reactions on social media is the fact that this is his 30th transfer in his 28-year-long bureaucratic career.

This has happened despite the Chief Secretary of the state issuing instructions that no officer will be transferred without being offered new postings. It has led to people criticizing the transfer with strong comments.

Social thinkers are questioning government action while asking if this was the fate of an honest IAS officer.

Author Kuchchangi Prasanna remembers Gupta’s commendable works, saying Harsh Gupta brought in revolutionary changes in transfer systems of doctors in the health department and also introduced the practice of counseling in it. Yet he was transferred the 30th time without a new posting.

While describing him as an honest officer, Prasanna questions his repeated transfer and rues if this was the fate of an honest officer.

 

Five Additional Judges elevated as Permanent Judges of Chhattisgarh High Court

By
LO Bureau
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Anil Tuteja IAS

The Union government on Friday (April 17, 2026) notified the appointment of five Additional Judges of the Chhattisgarh High Court as Permanent Judges.

The judges who have been elevated are Justice Sachin Singh Rajput, Justice Radhakishan Agrawal, Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal, Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, and Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad.

PM Modi to chair CAPF Officers’ Conference for the first time

By
LO Bureau
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CAPF Officers' Conference

In a first of its kind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to chair a conference of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) officers. The conference has been called to discuss challenges before internal security and how to enhance coordination with other agencies and state police forces.

According to sources, though its schedule is yet to be finalized, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) will be overseeing the preparation of the agenda. To help the IB in this task, all wings of the CAPF have also been asked to prepare the agendas for discussion and submit them by Monday.

The CAPFs have been asked to send the proposed agendas to their respective DGs, who will then submit them to the IB.

A top source pointed out that the objective of this conference is to provide a unified platform for the top leadership of various CAPFs to deliberate upon the role of CAPFs in addressing emerging internal security challenges and to enhance coordination with other agencies and state police forces.

The IB, which is a premier intelligence-gathering institution in the country, also organises annual conferences for the Director and IGs of other forces and investigative agencies.

The event occupies significance as it comes in the backdrop of the Union Government introducing a new law institutionalizing the policy of deputing IPS officers to the CAPFs in senior administrative grade, starting from the rank of IG.

The law, however, evoked sharp criticism from cadre officers of the CAPFs, which comprise the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The new law reserves 50% of IG rank posts, at least 67% of posts at the Additional Director General level, and all posts of Special DG and DG ranks for IPS officers on deputation.

Former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s aide ex-IAS Deepak Kumar likely to join NITI Aayog

By
LO Bureau
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Deepak Kumar ex-IAS

Retired Bihar cadre IAS officer Deepak Kumar (IAS:1984:BH), who served as Principal Secretary to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is reportedly moving to Delhi along with him to assist him as he takes on a larger national role. Media reports point towards Deepak Kumar getting a role in NITI Aayog in a senior advisory position.

This is happening as Nitish Kumar is shifting to national politics, so his trusted aide is also expected to join him to ensure continuity in administration and policy. Deepak Kumar has worked closely with Nitish Kumar across multiple administrative tenures, emerging as one of his most trusted lieutenants in Bihar bureaucracy.

As per reports, the former bureaucrat will be placed in the NITI Aayog to serve as a bridge between the leadership and central policymakers.

Over a long career, Deepak rose from the post of District Magistrate of several districts, including Buxar, Nalanda, Hazaribagh, and Motihari, to holding key positions across departments such as Health, Urban Development, General Administration, Tourism, and Information and Public Relations in Bihar.

Deepak Kumar’s wide experience also saw him being posted as Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) before returning to Bihar as Development Commissioner.

He was later appointed Chief Secretary in June 2018 and was then appointed Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in February 2021.

The latest move to place him in the NITI Aayog signifies a strategic shift in bridging Bihar’s state leadership with central initiatives. 

IRS officers allegedly evicted from Odisha Raj Bhavan during PCCIT’s courtesy visit

By
LO Bureau
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Map of Odisha

A controversy has erupted in Odisha after two Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers were allegedly subjected to high-handed treatment and taken to a police station from Lok Bhavan during an official visit.

The incident occurred on Thursday when Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT), Odisha, Dr D Sudhakara Rao (IRS-IT:1990)—who had assumed charge on April 13—visited Lok Bhavan for a courtesy call on Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.

While Dr Rao and some officials were allowed to meet the Governor, two IRS officers—Manish Kumar (IRS-IT:2015) and Satya Prakash Mishra (IRS-IT:2023)—were asked to wait in a hall. Despite prior intimation and coordination, they were allegedly removed from the premises at the behest of the ADC (Police) and taken in a police vehicle to the Capital Police Station.

In a strongly worded complaint to the Governor’s Secretariat, Dr Rao termed the action “high-handed” and “unwarranted,” stating that the officers were on official duty under his instructions but were treated as unauthorised entrants. He also flagged that false allegations regarding their sobriety were made, which were later found to be baseless at the police station.

Describing the incident as an affront to the dignity of civil servants, Rao has urged authorities to examine the conduct of the concerned security personnel and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. Copies of the complaint have also been sent to the Odisha Home Secretary and the Director General of Police.

Sources said Lok Bhavan has taken serious note of the matter and ordered an internal inquiry. The Commissionerate Police have also initiated a separate probe, describing the episode as a “serious misunderstanding.”

The incident has triggered concern in bureaucratic circles, particularly as it occurred during a formal courtesy visit by a senior officer who had just taken charge of his new assignment.

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