GUWAHATI: Ashok Chaudhury, Headmaster of Gashbari High School, has been compulsorily retired by the Government of Assam under Rule 7(v) of the Assam Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1964, due to negligence of duty during the HSLC Examination 2025. The decision, issued by the Directorate of Secondary Education, Assam, follows an inquiry into his failure to ensure the timely commencement of the examination, which resulted in a 30-minute delay.
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Official reports state that Chaudhury, who also served as the Officer-in-Charge of the HSLC Examination Centre at Gashbari High School, arrived at the examination centre at 9:28 AM on February 15, carrying all confidential materials, including question papers. The examination, originally scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM, was consequently delayed and started at 9:30 AM. The Inspector of Schools, K.D.C. Amingaon, initially reported this lapse, leading to Chaudhury’s immediate suspension on the same day.
Further investigations revealed that at around 8:30 AM on the day of the examination, Chaudhury was seen at Kendukona bus stop, traveling in a four-wheeler, far from both his school and designated police station.
Reports confirmed that he was commuting from his native place, Mukalmua in Nalbari District, instead of staying at the headquarter as required by examination guidelines. Despite being given multiple opportunities to present his defense, he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. The departmental inquiry, conducted by designated officials, upheld the charges against him, and he ultimately admitted his negligence.
As per the order issued on March 29, Chaudhury’s suspension period from February 15, to March 29, will not be considered as duty. However, he will retain the salary and allowances received during this time.
