Justice D. Hariparanthaman dismissed the petition filed by divisional officer T. Selvaraja
Madras high court
Chennai: The Madras high court upheld an order of the state government suspending a divisional officer in Kanyakumari division in the fire and rescue services department, on charges of corruption. Justice D. Hariparanthaman dismissed the petition filed by divisional officer T. Selvaraja, challenging the order of the state government dated March 2, 2014, suspending him.
According to Selvaraja, the government issued an order under rule 17 (e) (2) of the TN Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, placing him under suspension. The reason was that a case was registered against him in respect of a criminal offence for demand and acceptance Rs 30,000 as bribe from A. Arokkiaraj for issuing a no-objection certificate.
On his petition to revoke the suspension, the high court had directed the state government to pass an order on his representation. Following this, the government passed an order refusing to revoke the suspension. Hence, he filed the present petition. The judge said the petitioner was placed under suspension on grave charges of demanding and accepting a bribe and a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. After completing investigation, a chargesheet had also been laid before the chief judicial magistrate, Nagercoil.
In such circumstances, the government thought it fit not to revoke the suspension. In fact, a division bench of the court had, in a case, after analysing all the judgments on this point, refused to interfere with the decision of the authorities in refusing to revoke suspension, more particularly in a case relating to corruption charges. “In view of the above, the petition fails and the same is dismissed,” the judge added.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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