A serious lapse has come to light in Uttarakhand administration where a government order related to the mandatory retirement of a PAC officer failed to reach the police headquarters for nearly two months. Due to this delay, the concerned employee continued in service even after his retirement was due in December.
The matter relates to a dalnayak posted with the 40th Battalion of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). Khajanchi Lal was facing several allegations of irregularities last year. A departmental inquiry was conducted, in which the charges were found to be true. Following this, the Home Department also carried out its own examination and approved his compulsory retirement after receiving consent from the Chief Minister.
The mandatory retirement order was issued on December 16, 2025. Usually, such orders reach the police headquarters within a few days. However, in this case, the official letter reportedly did not cross even one administrative level and never reached the police headquarters for action.
As a result, the officer whose services were supposed to end in December continued working for almost two additional months. When senior officials became aware of the lapse, a fresh order was issued on February 4, with the approval of the government, directing the IG PAC to enforce the retirement.
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Director General of Police Deepam Seth described the matter as serious and ordered a detailed inquiry. The investigation has been handed over to DIG PAC Mukesh Kumar, who has been asked to submit a report at the earliest. The inquiry will examine how the order was delayed and whether it was intentionally withheld or diverted at any level.
