Srinagar Update: The audacious move by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is creating ripples across the region. For the first time ever, they have commanded a premature retirement of the senior IPS officer, Basant Kumar Rath, effective immediately. This decision has caused quite the stir in the bureaucratic circles and amongst the citizens of J&K.

Basant Kumar Rath was not just any officer. He hailed from the prestigious 2000 IPS batch and was originally assigned to the Jammu & Kashmir cadre. However, following the significant political upheaval in 2019 with the revocation of Article 370, Rath, alongside his fellow J&K cadre IPS officers, found himself shuffled into the AGMUT cadre. This abrogation fundamentally changed the governance and administrative structure of the state.

Rewinding the clock a bit, between 2009 and 2011, Rath had taken up the challenging role of SSP in Jammu. Recognizing his work, the authorities soon promoted him, elevating him through the ranks to the positions of DIG and then IGP. While his tenure as the IGP of Traffic in J&K during the PDP-BJP Government might have been noteworthy, what followed was nothing short of shocking.

In an unforeseen move, Rath was shifted to a comparatively subdued role in the Home Guards. Soon after, he found himself battling a suspension, with a rigorous inquiry breathing down his neck. What was the reason? Alleged reports from the Intelligence Bureau linked him to nefarious entities: terrorists and Pakistan’s dreaded ISI.

It’s worth noting that Rath wasn't just known for his service. An intellectual, he is an alumnus of the esteemed Jawaharlal Nehru University. However, his penchant for writing became his Achilles heel. Rath's literary contributions to reputed platforms like The Indian Express and the news portal, The Wire, didn't sit well with many.

While some may argue freedom of speech, his scathing critiques of fellow IPS and IAS officers were considered not just a breach of brotherhood but allegedly a violation of service conduct rules. Officials whispered about the perceived harm his articles could do – endangering both the state and the national interest.

Perhaps what infuriated many in the administration was Rath's poetic take on the tragic incident in Srinagar in January 1990. He penned down his feelings on the unfortunate event at Gawkadal where over 50 civilians faced the brunt of the CRPF's firing. To the MHA, this wasn’t just a poem – it was labeled as “anti-national content”. Rath's writings, combined with his unapologetic demeanor, made him an unlikely hero in Kashmir’s separatist-militant circles.

Photos of Rath with local Srinagar youths, even those alleged to be stone-pelters, were floating around. For many, it was inconceivable that a senior officer like Rath would engage with these youngsters, sometimes even playing cricket in downtown Srinagar.

But Rath’s troubles didn’t stop here. In 2020, he set his sights on J&K's Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh. Using his Twitter as his platform, Rath aired his grievances, accusing Singh of corruption. Rath didn't stop at Singh; he even targeted Dr. Suneem Khan, a respected Kashmiri Muslim physician serving in the CRPF. Rath seemed to believe that Khan was in cahoots with Singh. However, Rath’s accusations had real-world implications.

Khan felt threatened and approached the Srinagar District Police, pointing fingers at Rath for jeopardizing his life through his potent social media content. He alleged that Rath’s statements made him a target for terrorists.

In a twist of events that seems to underline the gravity of the situation, both the local police and a lower judicial court dismissed the claims made by Dr. Khan in his petition. Feeling the weight of the injustice, Dr. Khan refused to be silenced. He took his case to the District and Sessions Court of Srinagar. This court took a different view and saw the merit in his allegations.

The decision was made – an FIR was to be registered against Rath. In the previous week, the urgency of the situation was underscored when the Srinagar court issued a non-bailable warrant for Rath, mandating his immediate appearance before the court. But Rath, always ready with a response, fired back, submitting a complaint to higher authorities. He claimed that, in a grave oversight, he hadn't been contacted by the inquiry officer to record his version of events.

While this legal drama was unfolding, Rath seemed to be on a mission. He sent detailed representations to the UT’s Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Home, Raj Kumar Goyal, as well as to the Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla. And he didn’t stop there. Taking to the public domain, Rath penned open letters targeting the DGP, aiming them at both Goyal and Bhalla.

His social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, became a hub of accusations. Rath flung allegations at Goyal and Bhalla with abandon. More shocking, perhaps, was his audacity to lodge complaints against numerous senior officers directly to the Cabinet Secretary. His demands? Either show him the door, letting him leave the service, or accept his request for a premature retirement.

In an alarming display of contempt and aggression, Rath uploaded a video across his social media channels. The content was explosive. Rath addressed both Bhalla and Dilbag Singh, not mincing his words and showing sheer disdain. He went so far as to threaten Singh, vowing to make his life a living nightmare. Amidst these threats, Rath openly admitted that he was being accused of having dangerous ties — links to terrorists and even Pakistan's ISI.

Amid this raging storm, the official channels were buzzing. Communications reveal that a fortnight ago, the MHA took the stern step of extending Rath's suspension. This wasn't just a slap on the wrist; it was a full additional 6-month term, during which an enquiry against him would continue.

And then, the hammer dropped.

On the 7th of August, 2023, an official note from the Police Division of the MHA was issued. Addressed to Joint Secretary UT Division, Ashutosh Agnihotri, and signed off by Director Sushma Chauhan, the content was clear and unambiguous. After exhaustive deliberations and review of the performance of Basant Kumar Rath, the Central Government arrived at a somber conclusion.

Rath's continuance in the service was not in public interest. Thus, in a move signaling the end of Rath's controversial tenure, the decision was made. Basant Kumar Rath was to be retired prematurely from his service in the larger public interest, in accordance with Rule 16(3) of the AIS.