IAS Officer Who Emptied A Stadium To Walk Her Dog Retired Permanently

IAS officer Rinku Dugga, who faced controversy for clearing a stadium of athletes to walk her dog, has been subjected to compulsory retirement by the government.

What Happened To Officers?

In 2022, reports emerged that Rinku Dugga, a 1994-batch AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre officer, had evacuated a stadium in the national capital, Delhi, where athletes were practising, so she could walk her dog.

Following this incident, 54-year-old Dugga was transferred from her role as the secretary of land and building in the Delhi government to become the principal secretary of indigenous affairs in Arunachal Pradesh. Her husband, Sanjeev Khirwar, also a 1994-batch IAS officer, was posted in Ladakh after previously serving as Delhi's Principal Secretary (Revenue).

The decision to compulsorily retire her was made under Rule 48 of the Central Civil Services (CCS) Pension Rules, 1972. This rule allows the government to prematurely retire officials on the grounds of lack of integrity and ineffectiveness in the public interest.

What Was The Incident?

Last year, according to a report by The Indian Express, every evening around 7.30 pm, Delhi's Principal Secretary (Revenue), Sanjeev Khirwar, would come to the Thyagraj Stadium, a government-run facility, to walk his dog. This practice forced athletes and coaches to conclude their training by 7 pm.

While complaints were raised by regular users of the stadium, Khirwar, the 1994-batch IAS officer, stated that the allegation was "absolutely incorrect." He claimed that while he sometimes walked his dog there, it did not disrupt the athletes' practice.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that stadium guards had begun blowing whistles around the track at 6:30 pm, ensuring it was cleared by 7 pm. Allegedly, according to the stadium administrator, the official evening timings for the stadium were 4-6 pm, but due to the heat, athletes were permitted to train until 7 pm. However, he was unable to provide an official order supporting the claim.

This is a fit punishment. Believing that their position or status makes them deserving of special treatment, such people develop a sense of entitlement. This can lead to a disregard for the needs and rights of others. 

It's essential to hold people accountable for their actions and ensure that there are checks and balances in place to prevent the misuse of power and VIP privileges. Transparency, ethical leadership, and a strong commitment to upholding the rule of law are critical components in addressing this issue and promoting fair and just governance.

Personal views expressed by the author are their own

Suggested Reading: We Cannot Afford Irresponsible Behaviour From Our Officers