CAT- Reply in 10 days in IPS Press Meet ban

CAT, Lucknow Bench has sought within 10 days reply from the State government in the petition filed by IPS officer Amitabh Thakur regarding alleged denial of his Fundamental right. The Bench of D C Lakha and Navneet Kumar gave its order after hearing Thakur and the State Counsel S P Singh. The next date of hearing is 01 August.

As per petition, Conduct Rules for IPS officers says that they can vindicate through Press their official act having faced adverse criticism after seeking State government permission but such permission will be deemed granted after 12 weeks of seeking permission.

Thakur had sought permission on 28 October 2012 in a case where he claims to have got implicated in an Arms licence case as SP Gonda and had organized Press Meet on 18 January 2013 after passing of mandatory 12 weeks but the Government stopped him a day before, which he has now challenged.