The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Centre’s response on a public interest litigation (PIL) that alleged widespread misuse of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel, including Border Security Force (BSF) staff, for domestic work at the residences of senior officers.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the plea filed by BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sanjay Yadav. The petition raised concern over what it described as a “rampant and institutionalised practice” of diverting soldiers from their mandated duties at borders and law-and-order situations to perform personal tasks for high-ranking officers.
The plea alleged that personnel were being compelled to serve in officers’ private homes, with some even assigned to take care of pets. “Our country’s soldiers are even deployed specifically to take care of a high-ranking officer’s dog,” the petition stated, terming the practice a “gross misuse of manpower.”
The PIL further highlighted that such diversions occur at a time when CAPFs face over 83,000 vacancies, warning that the misuse of staff threatens both national security and law and order while also placing an “undue strain on the public exchequer.”
Taking note of the submissions, the High Court sought a detailed reply from the MHA and directed the matter to be listed for further hearing.
