Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has summoned senior Assam IAS officer Akash Deep to appear in person in a contempt of court case arising from the alleged non-compliance with an earlier judicial order related to the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) recruitment scam. The court directed the officer to appear before it at 10:30 a.m. on August 31 and explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for the alleged failure to implement its directions.
The matter concerns the Assam Transport Department, where Akash Deep is currently serving as Commissioner and Secretary. According to the contempt petition, the department did not comply with the High Court’s earlier order directing the reinstatement of Suranjita Hazarika, an officer accused in the APSC recruitment scam. The petitioner has alleged that despite the court’s explicit directions, the department failed to restore her to service.
According to records placed before the court, the Gauhati High Court had previously observed that Hazarika had already completed her probation period. It directed the department to reinstate her while simultaneously initiating departmental proceedings against her within 90 days. The objective of the order was to ensure that disciplinary proceedings, if warranted, were conducted in accordance with the law without depriving the officer of procedural safeguards.
However, the petition alleges that the department did not implement the court’s directions. It claims that Hazarika was neither reinstated nor was any formal dismissal order issued against her. The petitioner argued that the department’s inaction amounted to a deliberate violation of the High Court’s order, prompting the filing of a contempt petition against the senior bureaucrat.
The petitioner further submitted that despite the clear judicial directions, the authorities failed to take the necessary administrative steps, leaving no option but to approach the High Court once again. On a prima facie examination of the matter, the court found sufficient grounds to issue a personal appearance notice to the IAS officer.
In its order, the High Court directed Akash Deep to appear before the court on the specified date and explain the reasons for the alleged non-compliance. The court indicated that if a satisfactory explanation is not provided, it may consider initiating appropriate proceedings under the law governing contempt of court. At the same time, the court clarified that it has not yet expressed any final opinion on the merits of the allegations or determined whether contempt has actually been committed.
The case has once again drawn attention to the long-running APSC recruitment scam, which has been the subject of multiple criminal, administrative and judicial proceedings over the past several years. Various officials have faced investigations and legal action in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. However, the present proceedings are not directly concerned with the recruitment scam itself but with the alleged failure to comply with a judicial order issued in one of the related matters.
The next hearing is scheduled for August 31, when Akash Deep is required to appear personally before the Gauhati High Court. The court will examine his explanation, review the department’s actions and consider the relevant records before deciding whether contempt proceedings should be taken forward. The outcome of the hearing is expected to determine whether the alleged non-compliance warrants further legal action and whether the department fulfilled its obligations under the High Court’s earlier directions.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
