Mandula Sujata, v. The State Of Telangana

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION No. 8912 OF 2015 O R D E R:

The petitioner herein, who was working as a Field Assistant with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, challenges the validity of the orders passed by the Project Director, Nalgonda on 23.01.2015 placing her under suspension pending inquiry.

The Project Director, Nalgonda had reason to believe that the petitioner has indulged in gross irregularities. Hence, he passed the impugned order placing her under suspension pending inquiry into such gross allegations. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner Sri M.V. Hanumantha Rao, Sri M.S.R. Chandra Murthy, learned Standing Counsel for the 3rd respondent, Sri P. Raghavendra Reddy, learned Standing Counsel for the 4th respondent and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (Telangana) on behalf of Respondents 1 and 2. When grave and serious allegations are thrown against a Field Assistant, touching upon his/her integrity, it is only appropriate that such a person should be kept away from any possibility of repeating similar mistake.

Suspension is only a step-in-aid for conducting the necessary inquiry. I am therefore, not in a position to hold that placing the petitioner under suspension pending inquiry is, in any manner, vitiated. However, it should be noted that as soon as an employee is placed under suspension, every effort must be made to conduct a detailed inquiry by affording a fair and reasonable opportunity to such an individual to participate effectively demonstrating his/her defence there against and appropriate final orders should be passed. Let this exercise be completed within a maximum period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

With this, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the miscellaneous applications, if any shall also stand disposed of. __________________________

NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO, J.

mrk 01.04.2015.