Apex court upholds decision to quash Jadhav, Pasricha’s extension

In a setback for the Maharashtra Government, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed its appeal challenging the Bombay High Court order that had quashed the extension given to DGP P S Pasricha and Mumbai Police Commissioner D N Jadhav in their service. Finding no reason to interfere with Bombay High Court’s decision, which had held the extension given to the two IPS officers was not in “larger public interest”, the Bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran dismissed the state Government’s appeal. However, the Bench said that during the three months’ extension the action taken by the two officers will be valid and they will be entitled for the benefits.

Both Pasricha and Jadhav were originally due to retire on November 30, 2007, on completion of 60 years of age. But on recommendation of the state Government, the Union Home Ministry granted them three months’ extension, leading to a controversy.

Subsequently, their extension was challenged in a PIL filed by social worker Gaurang Damani and journalist R R Tripathi.