HC dismisses St.Stephen staffer's plea against suspension

The Delhi High Court Friday dismissed a plea filed by Subha Kumar Dash, the suspended administrative officer of St. Stephen's College challenging his suspension by the governing body on Dec 19 last year.

Justice Valmiki J. Mehta dismissed the plea saying the governing body of college is entitled to take disciplinary action and that Dash has brought nothing on record to prove his suspension was malafide.

The plea filed against the college, principal Valson Thampu and the governing body argued that Dash was suspended because he made allegations of irregularities in the college administration.

Dash, who sought quashing of the suspension order, also alleged that Thampu had also pressurised him to convert to Christianity.

Dash had also filed a case earlier when he was suspended by the college December last year, but the college Dec 17 revoked his suspension after which Dash withdrew the case from high court against suspension. On Dec 19, the college called an emergency meeting and a decision was taken to suspend Dash on the ground of misconduct and on Dec 31 he was informed by the governing body about his suspension and initiation of disciplinary proceedings.

In his plea, Dash contended that the reason behind suspension was that he took an open stance against the principal on various issues of maladministration and harassment.