HC asks govt to file affidavit regarding cases of corruption

Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice D C Chaudhary passed these orders during the hearing of a petition filed by Sher Singh against the state, seeking setting aside departmental proceedings against him which had been ordered during the pendency of a criminal trial.

Earlier, HC took suo moto action in the matter and directed the chief secretary to furnish the list of officers of doubtful integrity and to convey to the court what action has been taken by the government in those cases.

During the hearing of the petition, the court observed that since November 2011, the court has been directing the Principal Secretary (Home) to furnish the information regarding officers/officials involved in corruption cases.

But secretary (Home) through affidavit on May 9, 2012 had informed the court that this will certainly take a lot of time and efforts as the information is to be consolidated by the concerned administrative secretaries after receiving the same from the departments/boards/corporations under their control.

The court further observed that period from November, 2011 up to May, 2012 would have been sufficient enough to call for the information and supply the same to the court.

Being a Home secretary, major part of information could have been easily available from police headquarters and there was no point in waiting for the report any further from the secretary (Home), the court said.

The court directed the chief secretary to furnish the information within six weeks and listed the matter for October 31 next.