1,580 days absent: Rajasthan High Court rejects ex-constable’s 20-year legal battle over ‘compulsory retirement’

Rajasthan High Court News: Noting that habitual absenteeism in a disciplined force like the police undermines discipline and efficiency, the Rajasthan High Court recently dismissed a nearly two-decade-old plea of an ex-constable who did not show any “improvement” and “repeated her misconduct,” justifying the compulsory retirement from service.

Justice Anand Sharma, as a result, upheld the compulsory retirement of the former head constable appointed in 1990, noting that she had a long history of wilful absence and had been imposed with minor and major penalties, and had allegedly been absent for as many as 1,580 days.

The woman was seeking direction for reinstatement with all service benefits after the review authority concerned rejected her plea in 2012.

“The petitioner has a long history of wilful absence running into several years, for which she has been repeatedly punished by imposing minor as well as major penalties on six different occasions for similar allegations of absenteeism for as many as 1580 days,” the order held.

It was further highlighted that she did not show any improvement and repeated a similar misconduct. “Habitual absenteeism in a disciplined force like the police undermines discipline and efficiency,” the court added.

Richa Sahay is a Legal Correspondent for The Indian Express, ... Read More