Latest news with #AllIndiaServices(DisciplineandAppeal)Rules
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Suspension of former CID Additional DG N. Sanjay extended by six months
The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday issued orders extending the suspension of former Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Crime Investigation Department (CID) N. Sanjay, who is facing charges of misappropriation and misuse of public funds, by six more months. Mr. Sanjay, a 1996 batch IPS officer, allegedly misused public money while executing the development works when he was working as the Director General (DG) of Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response and Fire Services. The IPS officer also allegedly misappropriated funds allotted for training the police personnel in creating awareness among Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) on the rights of the victims, rules of the Prevention of Atrocities (POA) Act, 1989, when he was working as the ADG (CID). Mr. Sanjay was suspended under Rule 3 (1) of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1989. The Review Committee, which met on January 29, 2025, recommended extension of his suspension until May 31, 2025, or till further orders, whichever is earlier. Recently, the ACB Director General said that a case registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988, and other sections was pending against Mr. Sanjay, and more witnesses need to be examined in the case. The Review Committee, which met on May 21 again, observed that the investigation of the case was in progress and the officer under suspension might influence the probe. The committee recommended another extension of the suspension of the IPS officer until November 27, 2025 (for 180 days) or till further orders, whichever is earlier. The Director General of Police (HoPF) shall take necessary action in the matter, the orders said.
The Print
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
IAS officer in Nagaland suspended as probe into sexual harassment against him initiated
Wilfred, a 2015-batch officer of the Nagaland cadre, has been serving as the joint secretary at the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and the Finance Department. The suspension order was issued by Chief Secretary Dr J. Alam, invoking provisions of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 on Wednesday, he said. Kohima, May 22 (PTI) The Nagaland government has placed IAS officer Reny Wilfred under suspension as a criminal investigation into several allegations of sexual and mental harassment by women employees has been initiated against him, an official said on Thursday. 'The suspension follows a formal complaint filed by the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) on March 17, 2025, after receiving accounts from several women employees who accused Wilfred of demanding sexual favours in exchange for salary hikes and employment opportunities,' the official said. In response to the suspension, the bureaucrat has denied all the allegations. The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has also demanded Wilfred's suspension, amid the serious allegations. The federation emphasised that retaining him in office 'undermines public trust and sends a dangerous message that institutional protection takes precedence over accountability'. The Nagaland Police had on April 12 said that an FIR had been registered against Wilfred and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the matter. The order issued on Wednesday stated that Wilfred's headquarters during the suspension period will be the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR) Department at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima. He has been prohibited from leaving headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority. Wilfred was facing trial in another case related to the alleged molestation of two domestic workers at his official residence, the official claimed. The officer was booked in connection with the case in 2021 when he was serving as the deputy commissioner of Noklak district, he added. PTI NBS NBS BDC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab govt reinstates senior vigilance dept officials
The Punjab government has reinstated two senior officials of the vigilance bureau (VB) who were earlier suspended in connection with an investigation into alleged driving licence irregularities, according to copies of the orders seen by HT. The move that has raised questions about the consistency of the government's anti-corruption stance. However, the officer who headed the VB at the time, SPS Parmar, remains under suspension. The reinstated officers — Swarandeep Singh, assistant inspector general, vigilance bureau (SAS Nagar), and Harpreet Singh, senior superintendent of police, vigilance bureau (Jalandhar) — were suspended on April 26 alongside Parmar, a 1997-batch IPS officer. The suspensions had followed the launch of a statewide crackdown on corruption in regional transport authority (RTA) offices and driving test centres. At the time, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government had projected the suspensions as a major step in its anti-corruption campaign, citing 'grave misconduct and dereliction of duty' under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. The state government has not only revoked the suspensions of Swarandeep Singh and Harpreet Singh but also reinstated them to their previous posts in the vigilance bureau. According to the orders issued by the home secretary, their suspension period will be treated as a regular duty period. No official explanation has been provided for the reversal. Despite repeated attempts, home secretary Alok Shekhar couldn't be contacted for comments. Opposition parties have launched a scathing attack on the Punjab government over the reinstatement of the two VB officers. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the credibility of the government's actions, highlighting the inconsistency between the suspension and the reinstatement of the officers. 'First, the AAP government suspended senior VB officers claiming a crackdown on corruption. Now, they're reinstated — same posts, suspension period not even counted. Both decisions can't be right,' Bajwa said. The decision has led to a wave of speculation, particularly since SPS Parmar — who was the Bureau's chief director at the time of the alleged scam — continues to remain suspended. Senior bureaucrats and police officers have questioned the logic behind the decision, pointing out that if the officers who conducted the field-level operations have been cleared, it is inconsistent to hold the supervisory officer solely responsible. 'If the cutting-edge officers are not at fault, how can the supervisory officer be?' said a senior IPS officer on a condition of anonymity. The vigilance operation launched in April had uncovered a widespread bribery network involving the illegal issuance of driving licences through middlemen, who allegedly took bribes to manipulate test results or expedite approvals without proper testing. Since Parmar's suspension, there has been little visible progress in the case under the new vigilance bureau chief, Praveen Kumar Sinha. The two absconding RTO officials — whose arrests were a key reason cited for Parmar's suspension — remain at large. Meanwhile, the Centre has formally approved Parmar's suspension and directed the Punjab government to issue him a chargesheet by June 26. He further alleged that the suspensions may have been politically motivated. 'Did the AAP suspend them to make them fall in line, and now they've complied? This isn't governance. It's intimidation,' he added. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia also criticised the move, pointing out that officers who were deemed 'corrupt' barely three weeks ago have now been quietly reinstated. 'This raises serious questions — either about the officers' integrity or the government's,' Majithia said. He alleged that the officials were initially expected to act against political opponents but did not comply with the government's demands. 'Now, a deal seems to have been struck,' Majithia claimed, suggesting that the reinstatement was a result of behind-the-scenes compromise. Majithia also demanded that the government issue a public apology and reinstate suspended officer SPS Parmar, arguing that his case is no different from those who have now been brought back to their positions.
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Driving licence scam: Punjab vigilance head, 2 other officers suspended
The Punjab government on Friday suspended state vigilance bureau chief SPS Parmar and two other senior officers in connection with an alleged driving licence scam. 'Surinder Pal Singh Parmar, 1997-batch IPS officer, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect under Rule 3 (3) of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, for 'grave misconduct and dereliction of duty,' reads order of additional chief secretary (home) Alok Shekhar. The other suspended officials are assistant inspector general, VB, SAS Nagar, Swarandeep Singh, and senior superintendent of police, VB, Jalandhar, Harpreet Singh. The government suspended the officers for allegedly not taking action against the people involved in the alleged scam. Additional director general of police (NRI) Praveen Kumar Sinha will hold the additional charge of chief director, vigilance bureau. Sinha has been asked to assume posting immediately. Parmar's suspension marks the third top-level change in the vigilance bureau in as many months. In February, chief director Varinder Kumar was removed, followed by his successor G Nageshwar Rao in March. According to a government release, the vigilance bureau, earlier this month, had conducted surprise inspections at regional transport authority (RTA) offices and driving test centres across the state, leading to the arrest of several people allegedly involved in bribery and malpractices. The operation targeted RTA officials and agents who were acting as intermediaries, charging illegal fees to expedite driving licence processing or manipulate driving test results. It was found that many licences were being issued without proper driving tests, through agents who were taking bribes from applicants. A total of 16 FIRs were registered and 24 people were arrested, including private agents and some government staff, said the release. During the investigation, names of senior transport officers also came up. While one officer --- Ramandeep Singh Dhillon --- was arrested, two others, Pardeep Singh Dhillon, RTO Mohali and Ravinder Kumar Bansal, RTO SBS Nagar, are currently on the run. Despite the availability of evidence, no immediate action was taken against these officers, said the official release. Parmar, who headed the vigilance bureau, was issued a show-cause notice for this delay. However, even after the notice, no meaningful action followed. The continued inaction raised serious concerns within the government. It is also suspected that information may have been leaked from within the vigilance bureau, allowing the accused to flee, the release added. After a detailed review, the Punjab government took the decision to suspend Parmar for negligence and failure to act against corruption at the highest levels, it further said. Officials said the decision reflects the government's clear stand - that no officer, however senior, will be spared if they are found shielding wrongdoing. 'The fight against corruption will continue without compromise,' said a senior official. More arrests and internal reviews are expected as the investigation continues.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab suspends Vigilance chief, 2 others for inaction in driving licence scam
The Punjab government Friday suspended Vigilance Bureau chief director S P S Parmar and two other senior officers allegedly for failing to take action in an alleged driving licence scam. The other suspended officers include Assistant Inspector General, VB, SAS Nagar, Swarandeep Singh, and Senior Superintendent of Police, VB, Jalandhar, Harpreet Singh. Additional Director General of Police (NRI) Praveen Kumar Sinha will hold the additional charge of Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau. Parmar has been placed under suspension with immediate effect under Rule 3 (3) of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, for 'grave misconduct and dereliction of duty,' according to an order. The move is seen as part of the Aam Aadmi Party government's broader push to curb corruption in Punjab. Parmar had been appointed chief director of Vigilance Bureau on March 26 after removing G Nageshwara Rao, who in turn had just about completed little over a month in office having replaced Varinder Kumar on February 17. Kumar, who is due to retire on July 31, 2025, has been attached to the office of the Punjab DGP since then and has been awaiting a fresh appointment. Incidentally, Kumar had been appointed as the chief director of Vigilance Bureau in May 2022, shortly after the AAP came to power in the state. The vigilance bureau getting three chief directors in just over two months is unprecedented. Parmar was serving as ADGP (Law and Order) and heading the SIT probing the attack on a serving Army officer by policemen in Patiala earlier this month. He joined the state police service and was elevated to IPS in 2012 with seniority dating to 1997.
