Two years back, a lady subordinate officer had accused a senior IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre 1988 batch Rajneesh Dubey of harassment at work place. Dube, who is now serving as additional chief secretary dairy development, was then posted as additional chief secretary urban development department.
The lady officer, then working as executive officer, had lodged a complaint of harassment at work place against ACS Dubey.
Following the complaint government conducted departmental enquiry, which gave clean chit to ACS Dubey. Later, the lady officer moved High Court against Dubey. But it is alleged that Dube used his influence to get the case dismissed in the High Court also.
Further, the lady officer moved Supreme Court, which has now ordered conduct an inquiry into the matter by a senior woman IAS officer. The court also ordered that the investigation should be completed within a period of two months.
Enquiry to be headed by an IAS, a batch junior to Dubey
After the Supreme Court order. the appointment department issued an order on November 3 and appointed IAS Monika S. Garg for investigation. Garg is a 1989 batch officer, currently serving as additional chief secretary, social welfare department and minority welfare and Muslim Waqf department
In addition, Monika S Garg has been nominated as the chairperson of the internal grievance committee responsible for investigating complaints of women harassment against senior IAS officers of additional chief secretary level from 1987 to 1990 batch with effect from October 25.
What is the Case
According to the complainant, Rajneesh Dubey insulted her in front of 400 people joined in a review meeting through video conferencing on November 2, 2021. She said that Dubey used words that “can't be pronounced again in a civilised society for a woman”.
The lady officer claimed that she could not sleep for two months after that ‘insult and harassment' and sought medical help. Her mother passed away during that time to make her feel weaker. She mustered courage and moved High Court against the ACS. The case got dismissed. Then she moved Supreme Court as she was not able to live with that agony, she said.
Controversies linked with Dubey
In the same year 2021 on August 30, Dubey's private secretary Vishambhar Dayal had shot himself to death in his office. It is alleged that Dayal was under tremendous mental pressure. The case, however was closed without reaching any conclusion.
During the same time, his two senior subordinate officers – Shakuntala Gautam, director local bodies and Avanish Sharma, special secretary went for unplanned long leave. It is alleged that the two officers were under mental trauma due to Dubey's callous attitude.
A letter written by Madhu Sharma, wife of Avanish Sharma, to additional chief secretary, appointments department, went viral. In that letter, Madhu Sharma requested for transfer of her husband alleging that Dubey could cause damage to his husband if Avanish Sharma continues in urban development department.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
