In a significant ruling, the Gauhati High Court has directed the Assam government to reinstate 52 civil, police, and allied service officials from the 2013 and 2014 batches who were previously dismissed in connection with the infamous “cash-for-jobs” scam involving the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).
The Division Bench, comprising Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Malashri Nandi, delivered the verdict while hearing a clutch of writ appeals, mandating the reinstatement of these officials, who had successfully completed their probation, within 50 days.
This decision overturns an earlier judgement by a single judge that had upheld their dismissal from service. While ordering their reinstatement, the High Court has also granted the state government a window of 30 days during which these officers will not be assigned any duties. Furthermore, the government retains the prerogative to initiate departmental inquiries if deemed necessary.
It was also clarified that the officers will not be entitled to any salaries or dues for the period they remained dismissed. The APSC “cash-for-jobs” scandal, which rocked Assam in 2016, led to widespread arrests, including that of former APSC chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul and 57 civil service officials.
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