“Consistent inclusion of J&K in correspondence over three years, despite jurisdictional claims, reinforces this stance”
K KOUSHAL
In response to a criminal complaint against senior Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers, Ministry of Home Affairs (Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs) Division has allegedly tried to shift responsibility to the Union Territory (UT) Division, despite both the J&K administration and the UT division falling under the MHA’s overall jurisdiction.
According to sources, Under Secretary to the Government of India instead of providing reasonable response to the criminal complaint, cited that the points raised in the complaint do not warrant disciplinary action against the IAS officers, as they pertain to officers and matters outside the Division of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh Affairs but to UT Division, hence transferred to UT Division of MHA for appropriate action. Whereas questionable six orders of Jammu Kashmir Administration since 2021, where endorsed to JKL Division of MHA.
“A criminal complaint was lodged against four senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, including Joint Secretary Prashant S. Lokhande and Home Secretary Govind Mohan, over acts amounting to criminal offense under Section 191 of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) 2023 & others,” said sources, adding that Mohan Choudhary’s September 16, 2025, notice demanded not just accountability but staggering compensation totaling Rs 30 crore from six government entities including Rs 5 crore from MHA.
They said, “The Home Secretary cannot shift the burden to the UT division or J&K administration when both fall under the MHA’s authority,” adding “The failure to address these issues, including the unauthorized orders, illegalities, criminal conspiracy, deliberate errors, points to a significant intentional lapse in oversight.”
“Mohan Choudhary, a 2014-batch IFS officer from the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre, serves as Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) in Jammu’s Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests,” said sources, adding that Choudhary’s troubles trace back to 2021 by six order of Jammu Kashmir Administration duly copied to Joint Secretary (JKL) division of MHA, to whom MHA is disciplinary authority and also in a matter of disciplinary proceedings against a retired IAS officer, Ashok Parmar, where Choudhary was summoned as a defense witness, without permission of his controlling authority.
He claimed this process was riddled with irregularities, including his exclusion from the Jammu and Kashmir payroll during summons and manipulation of procedures. His grievances escalated through multiple letters in 2025, alleging “illegal and mala-fide” orders from Jammu and Kashmir officials that caused him financial loss, mental agony, and career stagnation, hence liable for compensation.
Sources alleged that six ‘unauthorized’ orders by the J&K government, issued at the Secretary level were ignored by the MHA. A procedural error under Rule 23 – involving the summoning of a defense witness, Pramod, without proper permission – is cited as a “conspiracy,” with the Home Secretary’s inaction allowing irregularities to persist.
Further, sources questioned why Jammu Kashmir has concluded disciplinary proceedings vide order dated- 22-08-2025 against an IFS officer 1992 Batch for his alleged misconduct while serving with affairs of Jammu kashmir whereas MHA is conducting Disciplinary proceedings against an IAS officer of 1992 batch for his alleged misconduct of period serving with affairs of Jammu Kashmir. This clear makes that MHA lacks jurisdiction under rule 7(1)(b) of All India Service (Discipline and Appeal) rules 1969.
“Lokhande, associated with the J&K Division, and Agnihotri, from the UT Division, face scrutiny, with the complainant arguing that redirecting the issue internally doesn’t absolve Mohan,” said sources, adding that the consistent inclusion of J&K in correspondence over three years, despite jurisdictional claims, reinforces this stance. While Lokhande has promised a UT-level inquiry, the complainant demands a direct explanation from Mohan. The MHA has yet to respond officially.
Despite repeated appeals – including directives from the President’s Secretariat– no action was taken, sources claimed that there were 48 unheeded Presidential instructions across ministries, painting a picture of systemic inertia or deliberate shielding of “wrongdoers.”
Choudhary’s notice, addressed directly to Home Secretary Govind Mohan, pulls no punches. It accused Joint Secretary (Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh) Prashant Sitaram Lokhande, retired IAS officer Vishwapati Trivedi (Inquiry Authority), and IAS officer Kishor Kshirsagar Lakshman (Presenting Officer) of acts amounting to criminal offenses under BNS, 2023.
“The MHA’s initiation of proceedings under Rule 7(1)(b) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, is deemed illegal, as it lacks authority over acts in the JK Segment for IFS officers,” said sources, adding that this falls under MoEF&CC or the UT administration, not MHA – a point reinforced by an August 22, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir government order.
The notice, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and addressed to the UT Division, detailed a criminal complaint initiated against Prashant Lokhande, who oversees the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh (JKL) affairs, and Govind Mohan, the Home Secretary.
“Home Secretary, who oversees both the J&K administration and the UT division, has not adequately addressed concerns raised in the inquiry. One key issue involves six orders issued by the J&K government, were unauthorized and lacked the administrative authority/legality of the Jammu and Kashmir,” said sources, adding that these orders, purportedly issued at the Secretary level, to whom Ministry of MHA is cadre controlling authority, duly agreed by Lokhande but Govind Mohan Home Secretary has not taken any action despite directions of Hon’ble President of India.
Sources asserted that Home Secretary MHA must establish rule of law in the Administration of Jammu Kashmir through JKL or UT Division.
Snapshot of office memorandum
