Chennai: The Madras high court has dismissed a petition from a village administrative officer, challenging an order of the revenue divisional officer, Erode district, placing him under suspension for his alleged involvement in a criminal offence investigated by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing, Erode.
Justice S. M. Subramaniam dismissed the petition filed by P.Saravanan and made several observations regarding corruption prevailing in the state.
The judge said undoubtedly, in the present case, an allegation of corruption is raised. A regular case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against the petitioner. Thus, the petitioner has to participate in the process of enquiry as well as in the criminal trial and establish his innocence or otherwise by producing documents and by adducing evidences, the judge added.
The judge said the counsel for the petitioner stated that the representation submitted by the petitioner for reviewing the order of suspension was pending before the authorities competent. However, it was for the authorities to consider all the facts and circumstances and take a decision in this regard. This court cannot issue any direction in this regard, as each case was to be considered based on its own facts and circumstances and with reference to the stage of the respective proceedings. This being the factum, it was for the authorities to review the order of suspension according to the stage of the proceedings and as per the guidelines if any issued by the government in this regard, the judge added.
