New Delhi: In a rare disciplinary move, the Union Government has removed 2003-batch IAS officer Padma Jaiswal from service following long-standing corruption allegations.

The Union Government has taken the major step of dismissing Padma Jaiswal, a senior IAS officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre. Jaiswal, who was serving as the Special Secretary in the Delhi government’s Administrative Reforms Department, was removed following a corruption case dating back nearly 15 years. The order received final approval from the President of India following recommendations from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

What was the case?

The disciplinary action reportedly originates from Jaiswal’s tenure as the Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh between 2007 and 2008.

The allegations: Local residents accused Jaiswal of "misappropriation of government revenue and misuse of official position”, leading to her initial suspension in April 2008.

The legal journey: While the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) had previously stalled proceedings by questioning the MHA's jurisdiction, the Delhi High Court overturned that decision on April 1, 2024. The Court ruled that the CAT had "erred" in its judgment, effectively clearing the path for the Centre to finalise the penalty.

The Verdict: Following the High Court's restoration of the case, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recommended her removal.

When questioned about the dismissal, Jaiswal was quoted by the Indian Express as saying she was unaware of the formal order. Throughout her 21-year career, she held various high-profile roles across Goa, Puducherry and Delhi.