VIGILANCE MANUAL VOLUME III - AP Online

DECISION - 485
887
case launched against the employee on the basis of evidence and
material collected against him during investigation or as reflected in
the charge sheet; (iv) The factors mentioned at (ii) and (iii) above
cannot be considered in isolation to stay the departmental proceedings
but due regard has to be given to the fact that the departmental
proceedings cannot be unduly delayed; (v) If the criminal case does
not proceed or its disposal is being unduly delayed, the departmental
proceedings, even if they were stayed on account of the pendency of
the criminal case, can be resumed and proceeded with so as to
conclude them at an early date, so that if the employee is found not
guilty, his honour may be vindicated and in case he is found guilty,
administration may get rid of him at the earliest.
Applying these norms to the instant case, the Supreme Court
observed that the criminal case as also the departmental proceedings
were based on identical set of facts namely, ‘the raid conducted at
the appellant’s residence and recovery of incriminating articles
therefrom.’ The findings recorded by the inquiry officer indicate that
the charges framed against the appellant were sought to be proved
by Police Officers and Panch witnesses, who had raided the house
of the security officer and had effected recovery. They were the only
witnesses examined by the inquiry officer and the inquiry officer relying
upon their statements, came to the conclusion that the charges were
established. The same witnesses were examined in the criminal
case but the court, on a consideration of the entire evidence, came
to the conclusion that no search was conducted nor was any recovery
made from his residence. The whole case of prosecution was thrown
out and he was acquitted. The Supreme Court held that in the situation
where the appellant is acquitted by judicial pronouncement with the
finding that the ‘raid and recovery’ at the residence were not proved
it would be unjust, unfair and rather oppressive to allow the findings
recorded at the exparte departmental proceedings to stand.
The Supreme Court upheld the contention of the security officer
that he could not attend the inquiry because of non-payment of