IPS Officer Pankaj Choudhary Takes Legal Route After Training File Stalls, Raising Questions on Transparency in Governance
Rajasthan’s senior IPS officer Pankaj Choudhary has once again drawn public attention after moving the court against two top IAS officers, Sudhansh Pant and Bhaskar A. Sawant. The controversy stems from a routine file seeking permission for his participation in a professional training programme, which remained pending in the Home Department for nearly two months. The delay has sparked a wider debate on bureaucratic transparency, procedural fairness, and accountability in governance.
How the File Became a Flashpoint
Officials confirmed that the Police Headquarters had forwarded Mr. Choudhary’s nomination after receiving an invitation from the sponsoring organisation. Despite repeated reminders, the file reportedly remained unattended, compelling him to seek judicial intervention.
In his petition, Mr. Choudhary—an IPS officer of the 2009 batch—alleged that both Mr. Pant, then Chief Secretary, and Mr. Sawant, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), deliberately withheld the file. He argued that the delay was unjustified, particularly since the same officers had earlier supported the training nomination of another IAS officer who had previously faced corruption charges.
Mr. Choudhary questioned the rationale behind approving training for an officer with a tainted record while denying timely clearance in his own case. He described the prolonged delay as a violation of service rules and an example of selective administrative decision-making.
Missed Opportunity: Training Commences Without Officer
The training programme in question was conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kolkata, from November 17 to 21, under the sponsorship of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), New Delhi. As per protocol, state government approval was mandatory for participation.
Police Headquarters had forwarded the request nearly two months earlier, followed by reminders on November 13 and 14. However, with no action taken, the programme began without Mr. Choudhary’s participation. The incident has raised serious concerns about the administrative efficiency of the Home Department and its handling of routine service matters.
Alleged Inconsistencies in Training Approvals
Highlighting discrepancies, Mr. Choudhary pointed out that the state government had previously permitted IAS officer Anil Agarwal to attend a month-long training programme in Mussoorie. Mr. Agarwal had been arrested in 2016 by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with the NRHM (IEC) bribery case and was later released on bail.
Although the Personnel Department subsequently denied the ACB permission to pursue the case further, questions continue to circulate regarding the criteria used to approve or deny training requests. The contrast between Mr. Agarwal’s clearance and Mr. Choudhary’s stalled file has intensified scrutiny of the decision-making process.
Broader Implications for Governance
The case has triggered widespread discussions within bureaucratic and governance circles about the need for greater transparency, consistency, and fairness in administrative procedures. Observers believe that the outcome of Mr. Choudhary’s petition could set important precedents, potentially influencing future norms related to training approvals, departmental accountability, and the handling of service-related files.
This episode underscores how even routine administrative decisions can evolve into larger debates about governance integrity, fairness in public service, and the credibility of bureaucratic processes.
