Srinagar, Oct 15: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued a Final Show Cause Notice to Shazia Geelani, a teacher posted at Higher Secondary School (HSS) Chersoo, Pulwama, for remaining unauthorizedly stationed abroad and absent from her official duties following the expiry of her sanctioned leave.
According to the official notice, Geelani was initially granted station leave permission to travel to the United States from November 29, 2014, to March 1, 2023, with a subsequent extension sanctioned up to June 1, 2025.
However, after the expiry of the sanctioned leave, she failed to resume her duties and remained abroad without authorization. Furthermore, she applied for Child Care Leave from June 2, 2025, to September 2, 2026, which was improperly sanctioned by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) concerned without proper delegation of powers.
Instead of reporting back to work on September 3, 2026, Shazia Geelani submitted a fresh application seeking an extension as Leave Without Pay, which was rejected by the competent authority.
Following an initial show cause notice served on February 21, 2026, giving her 15 days to return, the teacher responded via email on February 27, 2026, requesting a further extension of at least one year citing compelling family circumstances and child care responsibilities abroad.
The matter was subsequently reviewed by the Designated Committee for Unauthorized Absence Cases in its meeting on August 17, 2026. The committee recommended issuing a final show cause notice, emphasizing that the teacher was expected to join in person upon the expiry of her leave rather than seeking continuous extensions while remaining unauthorizedly absent.
The department highlighted that unauthorized absence from legitimate duties by a government employee attracts disciplinary action under Article 128 of the J&K Civil Services Rules (Vol-I), 1956, which stipulates that “absence without leave or after the end of leave involves loss of appointment.”
Through this final notice dated October 14, 2026, the Directorate has given Shazia Geelani a last opportunity to show cause within 15 days as to why action leading to the loss of her appointment under Article 128 should not be initiated against her. Failure to respond within the stipulated timeframe will lead to administrative action under rules without further notice.
