HC directs Collector to place a workers under suspension

Expressing shock over the act of the District Collector of Villupuram in revoking suspension of a Noon Meal Organiser facing criminal case for demanding and accepting bribe assuring job to a person, the Madras High Court today directed the district head to place the employee under suspension within a week.
Justice D Hariparanthaman, on a petition filed by K Elumalai against the organiser, in his order said "it is shocking to note that the District Collector has revoked the suspension order dated July 28 by stating that the offence of demanding and accepting bribe is not in connection with employment."

According to the petitioner, Elumalai T Vasugi of Sakkarapuram, Gingee (Panchayat Union), Villupuram district who was working as a noon meal organiser promised to get a job to his wife on payment of Rs two lakh. Elumalai has paid the amount but did not get the employment to his wife.
Hence he filed a complaint to the District Crime Branch, Villupuram, which arrested Vasugi and remanded to Judicial Custody.
Vasugi was placed under suspension on the ground that she was unauthorisedly absent from June 9, 2014. However the District Collector revoked the suspension order who is aware of the criminal proceedings pending against Vasuki stating that the above criminal case is not relating to the employment.

The court passed a detailed order on April 8, 2015 directing the District superintendent of Police to submit a report as to the stage of investigation with regard to the criminal case.

He submitted a report to District Crime Branch, Villupuram that the investigation was completed and a charge sheet is submitted before the Judicial Magistrate, Gingee on February 11, 2015.
Justice Hariparanthaman in his order said Vasuki promised to get a job to the wife of Elumalai.
Now the investigation is over and the charge sheet is also submitted. Still the District Collector is not taking any action.
The judge directed to pass appropriate order placing her under suspension.