2(i) Under existing instructions it is provided that where a Government servant who is under suspension submits his resignation, the competent authority should examine, with reference to the merit of the disciplinary case pending against the Government servant, whether it would be in the public interest to accept the resignation. Normally, as officers are placed under suspension only in cases of grave delinquency, it would not be correct to accept the resignation from an officer under suspension. Exceptions to this rule would be where the alleged offences do not involve moral turpitude or where the quantum of evidence against the accused officer is not strong enough to justify the assumption that if the departmental proceedings were continued, the officer would be removed or dismissed from service, or where the departmental proceedings are likely to be so protracted that it would be cheaper to the public exchequer to accept the resignation. (ii) Existing instructions on the subject of acceptance of resignation of officials against whom inquiry/ investigation is pending (whether he had been placed under suspension or not) provide that where such an official submits his resignation, such resignation should not normally be accepted. Where, however, acceptance is considered necessary, in the public interest, the competent authority shall examine the case with reference to the fulfillment of conditions mentioned at para 2(i) above.
