‘Threat to state security’: J&K Bank terminates services of senior official

The bank used rules and provisions of the Officers Service Manual to terminate the officer, Sajad Ahmad Bazaz, who worked as chief manager. He was due to retire by this month-end.

The order, issued on Saturday evening by J&K Bank managing director and chief executive officer Baldev Prakash, stated that in the “interest of the security of state” it is not expedient to hold an inquiry into Bazaz’s conduct.

“Whereas the undersigned is satisfied after considering the facts and circumstances of the case contained in the report received from credible agencies, that the activities of Mr. Sajad Ahmad Bazaz, Chief Manager…posted at Internal Communication and Marketing Department are such as to warrant his dismissal from service under Rule/Provision 12.29 in OSM (Officers Service Manual),” according to the order. It stated that the “undersigned” — Prakash — is “satisfied under Rule/Provision 12.29 in OSM that in the interest of security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an inquiry in the case…. Accordingly, I hereby dismiss Mr Sajad Ahmad Bazaz from service with immediate effect.”

Sources said J&K Police’s intelligence wing had recommended Bazaz’s termination for columns he used to write for an English daily in the Valley.