In a significant development, the Centre has told the Calcutta High Court that the state government is the competent authority to take action against erring IPS or IAS officers posted in the state, rather than the DoPT under the Union Government.
Additional Solicitor General Ashok Kumar Chakrabarti made this submission while representing the Centre on a plea seeking action against former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal. Goyal is facing charges for allegedly revealing the name of the R G Kar rape victim during a press conference. A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya are hearing the plea.
Chakrabarti even submitted a circular of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to substantiate his point.
Chakrabarti also mentioned before the bench that despite the Supreme Court’s directions to maintain the confidentiality about the identity of the sexual assault victims, the former Commissioner of Police revealed the name of the R G Kar rape victim. Goyal had invited widespread criticism for allegedly mishandling the case after which he was removed from his post. He is currently ADG of the Special Task Force of the state police.
The High Court ordered the Union government’s submissions to be put on record. The next hearing is scheduled to take place on
December 23.
