Relief To IAS Officer: HC Dismisses PIL Against Her!
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed with the Telangana High Court against Telangana IAS officer Smita Sabharwal against the comments she made on the reservations for PwD.
An IAS officer landed in big trouble with her views on the reservations for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in UPSC. Her posts on this on social media created a big sensation and made her face the heat. The issue even reached the court. However, she faced relief in the court.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed with the Telangana High Court against Telangana IAS officer Smita Sabharwal against the comments she made on the reservations for PwD. The High Court of Telangana dismissed the petition and said that the IAS exercised her freedom of speech.
Reviewing the petition the High Court dismissed the PIL saying that it doesn't have merit. The bench of the High Court reviewed it. Giving a big relief to the IAS officer, the High Court quashed it.
Reacting to the PIL which was filed seeking action against the IAS the High Court found no merit. The bench said that her comments did not hinder the rights of anyone and the reservations were also not removed due to her comments. Saying that everyone has freedom of expression the High Court observed it applies to the IAS officer too.
The row started when IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal gave her views on reservations to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in UPSC. She asked what is the need to have this quote in this premier service. She said that the nature of IAS/IPS/IFoS is field work and requires physical fitness.
This did not go well with many. The likes of Senior Supreme Court Lawyer Karuna Nundy, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, and others found fault with her views and questioned how she could pass such comments. She reacted to their views and backed her views.
Now the PIL that was filed against her was dismissed by the High Court. This can be seen as a big relief to her.