Sujatha Karthikeyan Pandian, a 2000 batch IAS officer and wife of VK Pandian, has applied for voluntary retirement from her position as Special Secretary in the Finance Department. Her application was approved by the Central Government about 15 days after she submitted her request.
Pandian has been in the news recently, particularly after the elections. She took a six-month leave from May 31 to focus on her children's education, but later applied for an extension, which was rejected by the government. She rejoined work on November 27.
Previously, Pandian served as the Secretary of the Mission Shakti Department in the BJD government. However, her tenure was marred by allegations of misusing her position to influence women in Mission Shakti to vote for BJD during the last general elections. The Election Commission took these allegations seriously, leading to her transfer from the department.
After the BJP came to power, Pandian applied for another six-month leave, citing childcare reasons. Her leave was retrospectively approved by former Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena from May 31 to November 26.