SC Stays Delhi HC Order On Reinstatement Of IAS Officer In Dog-Walking Case

NEW DELHI, Sept 11: The Supreme Court has stayed the reinstatement of IAS officer Rinku Dhugga, who was compulsorily retired by the Centre following the controversy over the alleged emptying of Delhi’s Thyagaraj Stadium to enable her to walk her dog.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notice to Dhugga on the Centre’s challenge to the Delhi High Court judgment that had set aside her compulsory retirement.

“In the meantime, the reinstatement of the respondent shall remain stayed,” the bench said in its September 7 order. The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 13.

The Centre was represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.

Dhugga had challenged the Centre’s compulsory retirement before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which ordered her reinstatement. The Delhi High Court subsequently upheld the CAT’s decision in its April 15 judgment.

The controversy dates back to 2022, when Dhugga and her husband, also an IAS officer, were accused of having the stadium emptied to facilitate her dog-walking. Photographs and reports of the incident had triggered widespread outrage.

The High Court noted that the incident had resulted in a minor punishment in disciplinary proceedings and also considered an allegation concerning her unauthorised absence.

However, it held that the review committee’s recommendation for compulsory retirement could not be sustained as it failed to consider relevant aspects of Dhugga’s service record, including the absence of adverse remarks in her Annual Performance Appraisal Reports, outstanding gradings in preceding years and her consideration for promotion.

The High Court observed that compulsory retirement is intended to remove officers considered “deadwood” from service and held that the principle did not apply to Dhugga’s case. (Agencies)