Thyagaraj Stadium Dog-Walking Case: Supreme Court Stays Reinstatement Of IAS Officer Rinku Dhugga
Supreme Court stayed the reinstatement of IAS officer Rinku Dhugga in the Thyagaraj Stadium dog-walking controversy
The Supreme Court has recently stayed the reinstatement of IAS officer Rinku Dhugga, who was compulsorily retired by the Centre following the 2022 controversy over the alleged emptying of Delhi’s Thyagaraj Stadium to enable her to walk her dog.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notice to Dhugga on the Centre’s challenge to the Delhi High Court judgment setting aside her compulsory retirement.
“In the meantime, the reinstatement of the respondent shall remain stayed,” the Bench said in its September 7 order.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 13. The Centre was represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati.
Background of the case
Dhugga had challenged the Centre’s decision before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which ordered her reinstatement. The Delhi High Court subsequently upheld the CAT’s decision in its April 15 judgment.
The controversy dates back to 2022, when Dhugga and her husband, also an IAS officer, were accused of having the Thyagaraj Stadium emptied to facilitate her dog-walking. The incident sparked public outrage after photographs and reports emerged.
Delhi High Court on Compulsory retirement
The High Court had observed that the incident resulted in a minor punishment in disciplinary proceedings. It also considered an allegation concerning Dhugga’s unauthorised absence. Both incidents had been cited in connection with the decision to compulsorily retire her.
The High Court further found that the review committee’s recommendation for her compulsory retirement could not be sustained, as it had failed to consider several relevant aspects of her service record.
These included the absence of adverse remarks in her Annual Performance Appraisal Reports, her outstanding grading in preceding years and the fact that she was being considered for promotion.
The High Court also observed that compulsory retirement is intended to remove officers considered to be “deadwood” from service and held that this principle was not applicable to Dhugga’s case.
The Supreme Court’s interim order has stayed her reinstatement pending further hearing of the Centre’s challenge.
Case Title: Union of India and Ors. v. Rinku Dhugga
Bench: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
Order Date: September 7, 2026