Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, July 12

A police constable in Jammu and Kashmir has been dismissed from service after remaining absent without authorization for more than two and a half years, with authorities citing a prolonged breach of discipline despite repeated notices directing him to return to duty.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Mohita Sharma ordered the dismissal of Selection Grade Constable Bachan Sharma, who had been posted at the District Police Lines (DPL) in Kathua before he stopped reporting for duty in November 2023, according to an official order issued on Saturday.

The dismissal takes effect retrospectively from Nov. 10, 2023, the date on which the constable was first recorded as absent without authorization.

Police said the disciplinary action followed a departmental inquiry which concluded that the officer had wilfully remained away from duty for more than 30 months without obtaining permission or providing an acceptable explanation.

Investigators found that multiple efforts had been made to secure his return to service, including formal notices, wireless communications, summons issued through the local police station and repeated show-cause notices.

Authorities also published notices in newspapers after earlier attempts to contact the constable failed to elicit a response, police said.

Despite the repeated opportunities provided during the disciplinary proceedings, the constable neither resumed duty nor offered a satisfactory explanation for his continued absence, prompting the department to initiate action under the Jammu and Kashmir Police Manual.

The dismissal order was issued under Rule 335 of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Manual, read with Rules 337 and 359, which empower disciplinary authorities to remove personnel found guilty of serious misconduct or sustained violations of service discipline.

Officials described the prolonged absence as a grave breach of discipline incompatible with continued service in the police force.

The dismissed constable, a resident of Dhaloti village in Kathua district’s Marheen tehsil, had joined the Jammu and Kashmir Police as a constable in 2011 and was later promoted to the rank of Selection Grade Constable.

Police said he has been directed to surrender all government-issued equipment and complete departmental clearance formalities.

Failure to return official property could invite further legal action under applicable laws, the department said.

The action reflects the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s policy of enforcing service discipline through departmental proceedings against personnel accused of prolonged absenteeism, dereliction of duty or other serious violations of conduct rules.

Officials said maintaining operational readiness and accountability within the force required strict adherence to service regulations, particularly among personnel entrusted with policing and public safety responsibilities.

The dismissal follows a series of disciplinary measures taken by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in recent years against officials found guilty of misconduct, absenteeism or violations of departmental rules, as the force seeks to strengthen internal accountability and professional standards.