"Suspended officer cannot be held in the same post"

Bengaluru: In an administrative order, it has been stated that even if a case against an officer is settled within six months of the suspension of the officer, he or should not be retained in the same position.

“Unnecessary financial burden is put on the government by suspending an employee for a long time. If the departmental proceedings are not commenced within six months of the suspension of an officer or the charge sheet is not filed before the court, the competent authority shall take a decision on the termination or resumption of such officer. If no decision is taken, the suspension must be deemed to have been cancelled,” the order states.

“If the suspended officer does not attend office even after the expiry of the suspension period and if no indictment is filed within 6 months against the suspended officer then that period must be considered as leave period. In a corruption case, the competent authority should consider the investigating agency requests for the extension of the suspension of the suspected officer,” the order further states.