Convicted PCS officer dismissed from service

Punjab government today dismissed PCS officer Purshotam Singh Sodhi from the service with immediate effect.
The decision came after a Patiala court early this month had convicted and sentenced him in the infamous cash-for-job scam.
Sodhi, who was currently posted as Deputy Secretary Agriculture, was awarded for two years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) with fine of 5,000.
Sodhi was among four accused including ex-chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) Ravinder Paul Singh Sidhu who were found guilty by the court in 2002 cash-for-job scam.
Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal in his order issued here today said in view of the conviction on April 7, the services of PCS Purshotam Singh Sodhi is dismissed from the government with immediate effect.

He would not be eligible for any government service in future, the official release said.
The orders further said, "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.