SRINAGAR: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued a final show-cause notice to a teacher posted at Higher Secondary School Chersoo in Pulwama district over her alleged unauthorised absence from duty while staying in the United States, warning that action, including loss of appointment, could be initiated under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Rules.
The notice, dated October 14, 2026, names Shazia Geelani and gives her 15 days to explain why action should not be taken against her under Article 128 of the J&K Civil Services Rules, Volume I, 1956.
According to the notice, Geelani had obtained permission to stay abroad from November 29, 2014, to March 1, 2023, and subsequently sought an extension until June 1, 2025. The extensions were sanctioned by the Administrative Department through communications dated November 29, 2024, and September 8, 2025, respectively.
The department stated that she was required to resume duty after the sanctioned period but remained abroad and subsequently obtained Child Care Leave from June 2, 2025, to September 2, 2026. The notice alleges that the leave was sanctioned by the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) without the requisite delegated authority.
Instead of joining duty on September 3, 2026, the teacher submitted another application seeking an extension in the form of leave without pay, which was not approved by the competent authority, the notice stated.
The Chief Education Officer, Pulwama, had served her an earlier show-cause notice on February 21, 2026, directing her to resume duty within 15 days, in accordance with instructions issued by the Directorate on February 11, 2026.
In her reply, submitted by email on February 27, 2026, Geelani cited compelling family circumstances and the need to remain with her children abroad, stating that she had applied for a further extension of leave for at least one year.
The matter was subsequently considered by the designated committee dealing with unauthorised-absence cases at its meeting on August 17, 2026. The committee recommended issuing a final show-cause notice, observing that she had been expected to return in person after the expiry of her sanctioned leave but had instead sought further extensions while remaining unauthorisedly absent.
Citing Article 128 of the J&K Civil Services Rules, which states that “absence without leave or after the end of leave involves loss of appointment”, the Directorate has given the teacher a final opportunity to present her defence.
The notice warns that failure to respond within 15 days of its issuance will be treated as an indication that she has nothing to submit in her defence, after which further action may be initiated under the applicable rules.
