Nikunja Bihari Dhal Given Temporary Charge of Justice Secretary Amid Senior Officer’s Leave
The Government of India has approved a temporary administrative arrangement in the Ministry of Law and Justice. Senior IAS officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal, a 1993-batch officer from the Odisha cadre and currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, has been entrusted with an additional responsibility.
According to the official order, Mr. Dhal will hold additional charge of Secretary, Department of Justice from 17 November 2025 to 30 November 2025. This arrangement has been made to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the Department of Justice during the leave period of Mr. Niraj Verma, a 1994-batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre IAS officer who currently heads the department as Secretary.
The decision ensures continuity in critical administrative, legal policy, and judicial reform matters handled by the Department of Justice. As Secretary (Justice), Mr. Dhal will be overseeing:
Policy matters related to judicial administration
Coordination with the judiciary and state governments
Initiatives related to judicial infrastructure, digital courts, and legal reforms
Ongoing schemes aimed at improving access to justice
Such temporary assignments are common in the senior bureaucracy to maintain administrative efficiency and seamless governance when key officials are unavailable.
Mr. Dhal’s extensive experience in public administration, legislative functioning, and inter-ministerial coordination is expected to support smooth handling of responsibilities during this two-week period.
