M.Packiaraj v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 19.03.2021

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH M.Packiaraj

...Petitioner

Vs.

1.The District Collector, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

... Respondents P RAYER:

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to revoke the suspension order passed against the petitioner in his proceedings in Na.Ka.No.8910/2018/A1, dated, 10.10.2019 and reinstate the petitioner in service based on the petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2019, within a time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.J.Jeyakumaran For Respondents : Mrs.J.Padmavathi Devi Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

Heard Mr.J.Jeyakumaran, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mrs.J.Padmavathi Devi, learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents.

2. The petitioner, while serving as Village Administrative Officer, Orathanadu, was placed under suspension by the second respondent herein, through an order dated 10.10.2019, which is impugned in the present writ petition. The petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2019 seeking for revocation of his suspension was not considered by the second respondent and hence the present writ petition.

3. The guidelines governing a Government employee to be kept under prolonged suspension, has been dealt with the Hon'ble 1/3

Supreme Court in Ajay Kumar Choudhary v. Union of India, (2015) 7 SCC 291 at page 303, in the following manner:- "21.We, therefore, direct that the currency of a suspension order should not extend beyond three months if within this period the memorandum of charges/charge-sheet is not served on the delinquent officer/employee; if the memorandum of charges/charge-sheet is served, a reasoned order must be passed for the extension of the suspension. As in the case in hand, the Government is free to transfer the person concerned to any department in any of its offices within or outside the State so as to sever any local or personal contact that he may have and which he may misuse for obstructing the investigation against him.

The Government may also prohibit him from contacting any person, or handling records and documents till the stage of his having to prepare his defence. We think this will adequately safeguard the universally recognised principle of human dignity and the right to a speedy trial and shall also preserve the interest of the Government in the prosecution. We recognise that the previous Constitution Benches have been reluctant to quash proceedings on the grounds of delay, and to set time-limits to their duration. However, the imposition of a limit on the period of suspension has not been discussed in prior case law, and would not be contrary to the interests of justice.

Furthermore, the direction of the Central Vigilance Commission that pending a criminal investigation, departmental proceedings are to be held in abeyance stands superseded in view of the stand adopted by us."

4. The petitioner is aggrieved against his prolonged suspension of one and half years. Apparently, the suspension cannot unjustifiably prolonged, except in accordance with the mandated guidelines as held in the Ajay Kumar Choudhary's case (supra). In this background, it would be appropriate for the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation, seeking for revocation of his suspension.

5. Accordingly, a Writ of Mandamus is hereby issued with a direction to the second respondent herein to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2019, wherein the petitioner has sought for revocation of the suspension order in Na.Ka.No.8910/2018/A1, dated, 10.10.2019, in accordance with the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ajay Kumar Choudhary (supra), as expeditiously as possible, in any event, within a period of one (1) week from the date of receipt of a copy this order.

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6. The Writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. However, there shall be no order as to costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) tsg NOTE:

In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned. To 1.The District Collector, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

19.03.2021 NA(CO) KK(07.04.2021) 3P 3C 3/3