Disciplinary action against corrupt govt employees can be taken along with court cases: CVC

Necessary disciplinary action against corrupt government employees can be taken along with criminal proceedings, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has said.

The Commission while examining some disciplinary cases has noticed that simultaneous action of prosecution and initiation of departmental proceedings are unduly delayed by departments/organisations by keeping them in abeyance on the ground that the matter is under trial in court.

"Such an approach in finalising disciplinary matters is a matter of serious concern and is also not a correct approach," it said in a recent directive to banks, insurance companies and all other central government organisations.

The CVC said that disciplinary authority of an organisation needs to ensure that the simultaneous departmental proceedings are undertaken against employees facing a criminal trial.

Citing a verdict by Supreme Court, the probity watchdog said, "There is no bar in conducting simultaneous criminal and departmental proceedings."