Swapnil Jayant Puranik v. the Chief Engineer ( Development Plan ) and Anr.
Case brief
What is this about?
Prolonged suspension of BMC employee since 10.6.2018; suspension continued with departmental enquiry kept in abeyance pending criminal case; delay in charge-sheet (37 months) and enquiry conclusion (36 months); Enquiry Officer report of 2.12.2024 recommending abeyance; no review by Bombay Municipal Corporation; 50% salary during suspension; interim order ending suspension and permitting reporting to duty on 21.03.2025; departmental enquiry need not wait for criminal case; FIR C.R. No. 129 of 2018; Sections 420 and 34 IPC; Criminal Case No. PW/6400715/2022; WRIT PETITION NO. 9341 OF 2024; High Court of Judicature at Bombay.
What did the court decide?
Interim order: the suspension order dated 10.6.2018 shall not continue any further; the Petitioner is permitted to report for duties on 21st March, 2025 at the place of posting by the Corporation; the Management may complete the departmental enquiry without waiting for the criminal case to be decided.