Gujarat high court on Monday sought an explanation from the state government asking why there was inordinate delay in
completing the departmental inquiry against officials accused of having siphoned off money meant for some 2002 riot victims.
Gujarat high court on Monday sought an explanation from the state government asking why there was inordinate delay in
completing the departmental inquiry against officials accused of having siphoned off money meant for some 2002 riot victims.
The case involves some officials of Panchmahals district.
During the hearing, chief justice SJ Mukhopadhya told additional chief secretary (home) Balvant Singh that “it is very excessive time to conclude the departmental inquiry. The inquiry is not a court proceeding which may run long.”
The chief justice further said: “The time of 380 days is too long to conclude the inquiry. The accused persons would be scot-free and the honest persons would face undue pressure if the inquiry runs long.” He also suggested that the state government reconsider the limit to conclude the departmental inquiry.
Singh assured the court to review the resolution of 1993 which, in the eyes of the high court, is giving excessive time to conclude the inquiry with consultation of secretaries of other departments.
He told the court: “The 380 days in the ‘outer limit’. There are many cases in which we concluded inquiry within six months. Delay happens in cases of serious nature. In few cases, the state government also held inquiry on day-to- day basis.” Ultimately, Singh assured the court to review the resolution stipulating the cumulative time up to 380 days in various stages of departmental inquiry.
The issue pertains to alleged misappropriation of funds meant for victims of 2002 Godhra riots by some officials of the Panchmahals district. Eight officers, including the then DDO and TDO, have been implicated by the state government.
The action by the government came after a PIL was filed by All-India Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council in the high court in 2009. The petitioner alleged that large-scale misappropriation of funds had taken place in four villages of Pandarvada taluka in the Panchmahals district.
"The riot compensation has been disbursed to those who are not actual victims and did not suffer actual loss. Many actual victims have not got funds,'' was the allegation.
The inquiry was held by the then collector. While a police complaint was filed against a few accused officers who have now retired, a departmental inquiry was initiated against those who are in service, including the DDO.
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