Punjab Government on Monday dismissed PCS officer Purshotam Singh Sodhi, working as Deputy Secretary Agriculture, from the government service with immediate effect, after his conviction the infamous Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) cash-for-job scam.
Sodhi has been dismissed from government service “in a case regarding recruitment during the tenure of Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu, former PPSC chairman, in a vigilance FIR dated April 30, 2002, under sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 7, 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act”, in which he was also included as accused.
The orders, issued by the Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal on Monday, stated that Sodhi has been “found guilty” of commission of offence punishable under section 12 of PC Act and has been convicted for rigorous imprisonment for two years and fine of `5,000.
“In view of conviction dated April 7, 2015, the service of Purshotam Singh Sodhi, PCS, is dismissed from government service with immediate effect. He would not be eligible for any government service in future,” read the orders.
Quoting in detail the judgment in this case, the orders stated, “What is really relevant, thus, is conduct of the government servant which has led to his conviction on a criminal charge. Now, in this case, the respondent has been found guilty of corruption by criminal court. Until the said conviction is set aside by the appellate or other higher court, it may not be advisable to retain such person in service. As stated above, if he succeeds in appeal or other proceedings, the matter can always be reviewed in such manner that he suffers no prejudice.”