Following the harassment of judicial adjudication officers in Kaliachak, Malda district, West Bengal on April 1, the Additional District Magistrate, Shaikh Ansar Ahamad, an IAS officer, has been served a show-cause notice for serious dereliction of duty. The notice, dated April 4, was issued by the Malda District Magistrate’s office, requiring Ahamad to respond within seven days. Failure to reply would be considered an admission of guilt, leading to disciplinary action.
The notice emphasized that the ADM was instructed to monitor the law and order situation closely in the district and ensure coordination among civil, police, and administrative bodies. Specifically directed to visit the Kaliachak area on April 1 between 3.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m., the ADM was tasked with maintaining contact with relevant authorities for effective monitoring and reporting of any escalating issues.
However, the notice highlighted that the ADM’s physical presence in the field failed to convey the seriousness of the situation to higher authorities between 3.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. on April 1. This lack of communication compromised the administration’s ability to take timely preventive actions during a critical five-hour period, as no field-level updates were provided.
The show-cause notice deemed this failure a significant breach of duty, trust, and professional conduct expected from an IAS officer. It stated that such negligence jeopardized public order and hindered the administration’s effectiveness during a crucial timeframe. The notice cited a potential violation of Rule 3(l) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, emphasizing the obligation of every service member to uphold absolute dedication to duty, especially in maintaining law and order.
