CAT orders reinstatement of IPS officer in UP

The Lucknow bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), in an interim order on Monday, stayed IPS officer Amitabh Thakur's suspension and ordered his reinstatement with full salary with effect from October 11, 2015.

A CAT bench comprising Navneet Kumar and Jayati Chandra said there was no denial of the fact that there was a delay in extending the suspension period.

The tribunal said it could not find any provision in the rules where the state government had the power to give 'post facto' extension in suspension after 90 days.

As per the order, the central government had filed an affidavit before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, stating it had revoked the suspension of Thakur and an affidavit before the high court cannot be taken lightly.

Hence, the CAT directed that the state government order of March 31 extending the Indian Police Service officer's suspension for 95 days shall remain stayed till the petition's disposal and he shall be reinstated with effect from October 11, 2015, with full salary.

The CAT directed the central and state governments to file their replies within two weeks, and fixed May 12 as the next date of hearing.

In his petition, Thakur said that after the central government quashed his suspension, the Uttar Pradesh government was bound to comply with the order.

Thakur was suspended after he lodged a case against Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on charge of threatening him over phone.

--IANS

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