Apropos M J Antony's column "The flailing badge of courage" (Out Of Court,August 28), it is commendable that in (Surinder Singh vs Union of India) the Supreme Court recognised the prevalence of undue pressure from seniors under which civil servants function and compromise their fair judgement. But the apex court refused to come to the rescue of those who act courageously in discharging their duties and incur the wrath of the higher officials and are visited with not-so subtle forms of persecution - it rejected a public interest petition on behalf of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal saying that the officer can take care of herself. This is easier said than done. As the fate of Ashok Khemka and Arun Bhatia reveals, confronting powerful elements invites frequent transfers, at-work harassment, adverse performance appraisal and promotion denials.
Following the judicial process is a slow path to justice. Article 311 of the Constitution provides no remedy to officers penalised with transfers. At a time when most of the civil servants follow the "I-agree-sir" (IAS) culture, the Supreme Court is requested to impose norms and restrictions on the higher officials and politicians to prevent revengeful action against the handful of officers who resolve their ethical dilemma by adopting the right path.
Y G Chouksey Pune
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