Authorities confusing power to transfer with power to dismiss: IAS officer to HC

Terming the stand taken by Punjab as “strange”,Janjua took a dig at the government for “confusing” power to transfer with power to grant sanction. He had contended that it was only the central government that could grant prosecution sanction against an IAS officer,and that Punjab had erred in doing so.

The central government,in an embarrassing development for the state,had filed a reply stating that Punjab had indeed “overlooked” the Centre’s instructions and that it had the “sole authority” to prosecute an IAS officer.

The Punjab government had then filed a reply to Janjua’s petition in which it had defended its stand.

Taking the response on record,the High Court has deferred the case for hearing till October. Till then,the stay on Janjua’s trial,pending in a lower court,shall prevail.