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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Expedite probe into procurement of mosquito nets: HC to CBI
Madurai: Madras high court recently directed the CBI to expedite investigation into an alleged scam committed by Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL), a public sector company, in the procurement of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to the Jharkhand govt and Central Medical Survey Services Society (CMSS), New Delhi in 2022. The court was hearing the petition filed by A R Malaiyappasamy, president of the Karur HDPE Filament and Bednets Manufacturers Welfare Association. According to the petitioner, HIL, New Delhi, a public sector company, had obtained a contract from the Jharkhand govt and CMSS in New Delhi, for supply of mosquito nets for public use. While CMSS procured more than 40 million LLINs, the Jharkhand govt had floated a tender in 2022 for procurement of 48,000 LLINs. The petitioner alleged that the HIL had procured LLINs from shell companies at a low cost and supplied it at a higher cost. Alleging that a fraud had been committed by HIL, the petitioner association had lodged a complaint to the CBI in March 2023. The petitioner had filed the present petition in 2024 seeking a direction to the CBI to expedite inquiry into the complaint. Earlier, the court had directed the CBI to ascertain as to whether the shell companies through which, HIL said to have procured the nets, are having any manufacturing facilities to manufacture LLINs and regarding the actual cost of production and the cost which has been shown by HIL as procurement cost. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubra o valor de qualquer imóvel — basta digitar o endereço! Valor da casa | Anúncios de pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo Pursuant to the earlier order, the CBI submitted an interim report stating that LLINs were purchased at the lower cost from a shell company which was given purchase orders for 9.31 lakh LLINs. However, the shell company had the capacity to manufacture 75,000 nets per month, as per the report of HIL itself. Justice B Pugalendhi observed that the interim report submitted by the CBI reveals that there are certain prima facie materials available in the complaint of the petitioner and therefore, it needs to be prosecuted. Hence, the judge directed the CBI to proceed with the investigation and conclude the same as expeditiously as possible. The petition was disposed of.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
HC rejects plea against disciplinary action in sexual harassment case
Madurai: Madras high court has denied relief to a section superintendent in the district police office in Madurai district, who challenged the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him based on a sexual harassment complaint by two women staff. The court directed the inquiry officer to give his findings independently, uninfluenced by the rank or designation of the persons providing evidence. The court was hearing the petition filed by G Thirupathi Prabhakar. Two women staff lodged a complaint stating that the petitioner sexually harassed them. Based on their complaints, an internal committee was constituted under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The committee conducted an inquiry and found that the allegations against the petitioner were prima facie made out and submitted its report to the head of the department. Based on the committee's report and the victims' complaint, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the petitioner by issuing a charge memo in 2020. The petitioner filed the present petition in 2021, challenging the charge memo and the appointment of the inquiry officer. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The petitioner submitted that the charge memo was issued based on the internal committee report. The committee was headed by a senior officer, as the chairperson. In the disciplinary proceedings, the chairperson was named as one of the witnesses. The inquiry officer is an officer subordinate to the chairperson. If any evidence is given by the chairperson, being the superior officer, the inquiry officer may proceed against the petitioner. The state submitted that the petitioner sexually harassed the women staff, and it continued from 2006 onwards. The complaint was lodged along with a CD, which exposed the nature of harassment. The petitioner was already awarded a punishment of postponement of increment for two years in connection with another departmental proceeding. Justice B Pugalendhi observed that the petitioner apprehends that the inquiry officer, being a subordinate officer to the chairperson, would be influenced by evidence. The apprehension of the petitioner is unwarranted. In any event, it is made clear that the inquiry officer has to give his findings independently, based on the available materials, uninfluenced by the rank or designation of the persons providing evidence, the judge observed and disposed of the petition.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
Madras HC slams Tangedco for delay in acting against graft-accused staff
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has directed the Tangedco chief engineer (personnel) to take timely disciplinary action against employees who are facing corruption charges, by using attested photo copies of supporting documents needed for the process. Justice B Pugalendhi gave the direction recently after finding that there is huge delay in launching the disciplinary proceedings as Tangedco keeps waiting for the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials to share the materials collected by them. The judge directed the chief engineer to issue a circular in this regard. The judge passed the order while dismissing the petition filed by an accounts supervisor in Tangedco who was suspended for demanding Rs 5,000 bribe from a line inspector for dropping disciplinary action in 2011. The petitioner had challenged his charge memo on the ground that it was issued after a delay of 10 years. While explaining the delay, the chief engineer informed the court that they were unable to proceed since the supporting documents required for the proceedings were with the DVAC, which retained the documents for criminal prosecution. The officer also informed the court that out of 231 Tangedco employees who were facing graft charges, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against only 101 employees, owing to the above reason. Calling it a 'lame excuse', the judge opined that this directly helped the accused officials. He further pointed out that the government had issued a G.O. in 2004 that when the original records are with courts, there is no bar to use attested photocopies of documents for disciplinary proceedings to take a final decision without awaiting the outcome of criminal cases. Further, the judge directed the trial court to conclude the proceedings preferably within six months.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
HC directs TNSTC to pay relief to driver for harassment
1 2 3 Madurai: Expressing serious concern at the authorities of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) adopting unfair labour practices by harassing a driver who approached the inspector of labour and court seeking conferment of permanent status, Madras high court has directed the corporation to pay a compensation of 25,000 to the driver. The court was hearing the petition filed by S Selvaganapathy, who was appointed as a crew driver in 2013. After working continuously for a period of 480 days, the petitioner claimed regularisation as per Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishments (Conferment of Permanent Status to Workmen) Act, 1981. Since his services were not regularised, he filed an application before the inspector of labour. In 2015, the inspector of labour directed the authorities to confer permanent status to the petitioner. The corporation challenged the order in HC; however, the petition was dismissed. The petitioner stated that the then general manager and checking inspector, for their personal vengeance, adopted unfair labour practices against him, even though he was eligible for conferment of permanent status. Hence, he filed the present petition in 2019. In the counter, the corporation submitted that the petitioner was imposed with several punishments and fines for his negligence, causing loss to the management, disobedience, and misbehaviour. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Toyota 4Runner Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo Since the then general manager and then checking inspector retired from service, nothing survives in this petition. Justice B Pugalendhi observed that considering the number of litigations and the manner in which the applications were filed by the corporation, the court is of the view that the authorities adopted unfair labour practices against the petitioner. Since unnecessary litigations were filed even after the orders of the division bench of this court, the court is of the view that the petitioner was victimised. The petitioner made certain allegations against the then general manager and then checking inspector before their retirement. In all fairness, the authorities ought to have considered the same; however, they did not take proper action on the petitioner's representation and allowed them to retire. The judge observed, "The mighty TNSTC is capable of filing a number of petitions including reopening petitions and at the same time, the petitioner suffered due to the conduct of the transport corporation." Hence, in the interest of justice and in view of the decision of the Supreme Court, the judge directed the corporation to pay the compensation to the petitioner for dragging him into unnecessary litigations, within eight weeks. The petition was disposed of.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Display Ombudsman availability in all local bodies prominently: HC
Madurai: Madras high court recently directed the secretary of the municipal administration and water supply department to ensure that the availability of the Ombudsman is exhibited explicitly in all the offices of the local bodies, in a prominent manner. Justice B Pugalendhi noted that the Ombudsman is the authority for conducting inquiries regarding charges of corruption, maladministration, or irregularities in the discharge of administrative functions by public servants working in the local bodies, as per the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Ombudsman Act. "The Act was enacted with the intention of ensuring transparency in the affairs of the local bodies. The truth or otherwise of the complaints would emerge only upon the conclusion of the inquiry. The Act itself provides a penalty for vexatious complaints. The Act is not only against the officers/officials of the local bodies but also against the elected members. Therefore, the avenue of the Ombudsman must be exhibited in all the offices of the local bodies, explicitly, enabling the public to avail themselves of the benefits available under the Act, by setting the law in motion," the judge observed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The court was hearing the petition filed by K Paunraj, who was then commissioner of Puliyangudi municipality in Tenkasi district. The petitioner challenged the interim order passed by the Ombudsman referring the complaints against him to the DVAC for a probe. Paunraj's counsel submitted that the petitioner, as a commissioner, made certain efforts to collect property tax from the taxpayers. An association had huge tax arrears. In order to evade tax, the association and a few other individuals made complaints before the Ombudsman. Without conducting a proper inquiry, the Ombudsman passed an interim order recommending the DVAC probe. However, the counsel for the individuals submitted that the petitioner committed several irregularities, indulged in corrupt practices, and acquired several disproportionate assets. The counsel further submitted that the petitioner obtained a community certificate fraudulently as if he belonged to the scheduled caste community and got public employment. Justice Pugalendhi observed that there is a pending cases against the petitioner for misappropriation of funds. Certain major allegations have been made against the petitioner, such as corruption, amassing wealth, obtaining a community certificate fraudulently as if he belonged to the scheduled caste community, and getting public employment. The provisions of the Act enable the Ombudsman to utilise the services of any officer or investigation agency of the govt or any other state agency for the purpose of conducting the inquiry under this Act. Therefore, the court cannot find fault with the order passed by the Ombudsman, the judge observed and dismissed the petition. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
