Himachal Pradesh Police Reverts Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) to Constable Following High Court Order
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Shimla, October 8: In compliance with a recent order from the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a subsequent review by the Departmental Promotion Committee, a constable, Bhupendra Kumar, who was earlier promoted to the position of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), has been demoted back to the rank of constable. Bhupendra Kumar was previously assigned to the security detail of former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.
On July 14, as per the orders passed by the Himachal Pradesh High Court in the case of Vikas vs. the State, and after a review by the Departmental Promotion Committee on August 26, 2023, this decision was taken. According to these orders, the promotion order issued on January 5, 2021, to elevate Constable Bhupendra Kumar to the position of Head Constable was revoked, and he was immediately reverted to the position of Constable.
In the context of the case, it was stipulated that only those constables who had served in the security detail of the Chief Minister for more than three years would be eligible for promotion to Head Constable under special quota provisions, constituting 10% of the total promotions.
Additionally, the orders specified that only one constable per year could be promoted under this quota. This provision was initially limited to the Chief Minister’s PSOs (Personal Security Officers). However, the PSOs posted in the security of the High Court judges had also petitioned to include them in the special quota for promotion, claiming that they should also benefit from the special promotion provisions.
On July 18, the High Court, while dismissing their petition, declared both the government’s permanent orders and the special promotion provision illegal.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court deemed the orders related to the promotion of constables to Head Constables who served in the security detail of the Chief Minister as illegal. As a result, the promotion of the PSOs serving in the Chief Minister’s security was also revoked with immediate effect.
Sanjay Kundu, the Director-General of Police in the state, confirmed that the orders have been issued from his office. Bhupendra Kumar’s promotion order has been revoked, and he has been reverted to the rank of Constable.
This development follows the Himachal Pradesh Police’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and adhere to the decisions of the judiciary, ensuring transparency and accountability within the force.
