Pabitra Matia v. State of Odisha
Case brief
What is this about?
The Court upheld the continuation of the petitioner's suspension pending disciplinary and criminal inquiries. Distinguishing the 'Ajay Kumar Choudhary' precedent, the Bench held that a government servant cannot benefit from their own refusal to participate in departmental proceedings. The Authority was ordered to complete investigations within six months, place the file before the Suspension Review Committee, and direct the petitioner to file a written statement.
What did the court decide?
Petitioner directed to file written statement within 14 days; Disciplinary Authority to conclude proceedings within 6 months (considering written statement); file to be placed before Suspension Review Committee within 7 days of receipt of statement; petitioner to attend inquiry; suspension to continue.