Allegation of misconduct on part of NEEPCO official
SHILLONG: The Central Administrative Tribunal, Guwahati Bench, has stayed the charge-sheet filed against former Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at NEEPCO, Satish Chandra Verma, by the Home Ministry.
The Bench stayed the charge-sheet in the absence of any preliminary inquiry.
Earlier, the charge-sheet was filed against Verma over alleged ‘misconduct’ and “unauthorised absence” from duty and for travelling without permission when he was posted in NEEPCO.
Though he joined NEEPCO in August 2014 for three years, his tenure was curtailed by the Power Ministry.
However, there were reports in the past that certain NEEPCO officials had allegedly influenced the Power Ministry to secure Verma’s transfer as he was probing serious corruption charges against top NEEPCO functionaries.
Verma, known for his investigation into the Ishrat Jahan ‘fake’ encounter killing case, had unearthed several alleged anomalies in NEEPCO and the probe reports in this regard were sent to authorities in Delhi.
During the hearing on November 18 at the Guwahati Bench of the Tribunal, M. Deb, Verma’s counsel, submitted that he is the IPS officer of 1986 batch of Gujarat cadre who was posted as CVO, NEEPCO, in 2014 without his consent through an order dated August 29, 2014, and he joined duty on October 8, 2014.
According to the counsel, on May 9, 2016, the applicant was served a charge-sheet that had five articles of charges relating to official tours undertaken by the officer.
The counsel also submitted that the applicant was served with the charge memorandum without any preliminary inquiry. Accordingly, the same suffers from malice of law.
The Bench said the counsel has been able to persuade the court that there is a prima facie case for intervention. Accordingly, the Original Petition was admitted and notices were issued.
Verma’s counsel also submitted that the applicant is a senior officer and his promotion would be adversely impacted if the disciplinary proceeding is allowed to progress as the charge served on him is without conducting the preliminary inquiry.
The counsel also brought out that Verma was issued a letter dated May 4, 2016, whereby he was directed not to leave the headquarters without the prior permission of the NEEPCO CMD and on the same basis, he was served with the charge-sheet on May 9, 2016.
According to the counsel, this shows conspicuous base in issuing the charge-sheet.
Accordingly, the counsel urged that the disciplinary proceeding be stayed till the finalisation of the Original Petition.
“In view of the letter of the CVC dated May 4, 2016 and close proximity with the issue of the charge-sheet dated May 9, 2016, and lack of preliminary inquiry, in the interest of justice, the disciplinary proceeding initiated is stayed till the finalisation of the Original Petition,” the order said.
However, the Bench said the respondents will have the liberty to approach the Tribunal seeking modification, alteration or revocation of the interim order.
The matter will again come up for hearing before the Joint Registrar’s court on January 11 next for completion of pleadings.