Reduced to cook: Policewoman challenges demotion

IHC orders authorities to afford her a personal hearing

ISLAMABAD: A woman police official has successfully challenged her demotion to the position of a cook.

The Islamabad High Court setting has set aside her demotion orders and has directed the authorities to provide her an opportunity for a personal hearing.

Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi of IHC directed the authorities to follow due process by issuing a show-cause notice, file a charge sheet, provide her a personal hearing and then an appropriate order shall be passed in accordance with law.

The order came after Islamabad police woman constable Neelam Shahzadi filed a petition challenging the decisions of senior officers of demoting her to the position of a cook even though she had served as a constable for the last 15 years.

Shahzadi, who appeared in person, informed the court that she had initially joined the police department in June 1995 as a cook. But in 2001 her cadre was changed when she applied for the post of a constable.

After passing the requisite tests, including fulfilling all the physical requirements, she had been promoted to a constable and had been performing duties as such ever since.

Naming the secretary ministry of interior, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the senior superintendent of police (logistics) as respondents in the case, she argued that orders for her demotion came without affording her a due hearing or issuing a show cause for the proposed action which violated section 12(3) of the Civil Servant Act, 1973.

Shahzadi maintained that neither the judgment of the Supreme Court was relevant nor did it concern her case, adding that the verdict was related to out of turn or accelerated promotions given to the officers concerned.

She argued orders of the respondents were neither legitimate nor lawful and she needed indulgence of the court.

“The adverse effect of aforesaid orders will adversely affect the service career of the petitioner,” she stated, adding that departmental authorities are bound to exercise discretion in a just and fair manner.

Shahzad prayed the court to set aside the orders and restore her to her post as a constable.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2016.