The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday set aside Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar remarks in senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka’s performance appraisal report. During the hearing, the high court stated “severe constraints in which an honest and upright officer works under the political leadership are well known,” Indian Express reported
The court observed that officers “with such an integrity” are “depleting very fast” in “our political, social and administrative system.” It added that these officers must get protection from the damage done to their careers.
A writ petition in the matter was filed by Khemka for expunging adverse remarks and restore his grading. While hearing the case, a division bench of Justices Rajiv Sharma and Kuldip Singh said: “We are of the view that a person of such professional integrity needs to be protected as the professional integrity in our political, social and administrative system is depleting very fast. Even the Reporting Authority i.e., the Chief Secretary, Haryana has recorded that the petitioner is an intelligent and experienced officer. His integrity is beyond doubt.”
“Since (a) number of such officers whose integrity is beyond doubt and who have professional integrity of higher standard is depleting very fast, therefore, they need protection from being damaged by recording adverse remarks against the record,” the court added as per the paper.