Kochi: The High Court has directed the government to take back Saji Basheer, former managing director of SIDCO, who was suspended in the wake of vigilance cases against him. The court rejected a review petition filed by the government seeking to quash an earlier order of a single bench ordering the reappointment of Basheer.
The review petition filed by the government pointed out that Basheer approached the court on the misunderstanding that the appointment in a government-controlled company was a permanent appointment. The petition also pointed out that the appointment in SIDCO was made after ending the services in his original institution. The counsel for the government pointed out that it would not be proper to reappoint a person like Basheer accused of being involved in several cases. The court however rejected the argument and stated that the government was raising new issues.
Basheer is facing a vigilance probe connected with corruption charges during his tenure as the MD of SIDCO. He was removed from service when EP Jayarajan was the minister. He filed a petition in the HC against the decision and the court annulled the decision after which he was appointed as the MD of KELPAM under the industries department. He was removed from the post following the uproar .
