Manoranjan Kumar, as dy chairman, had unearthed land-related irregularities.
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in its final judgment on Wednesday quashed the order of the union ministry of shipping which prevented former deputy chairman of KPT, Manoranjan Kumar, to resume his duty on its (CAT’s) earlier order. The CAT also ordered initiation of contempt proceeding against the ministry and payment of Rs25,000 towards the cost to Kumar.
“Yes, the CAT finally issued its 130-page judgment in my favour rescinding the ministry’s wrongful orders and terming the orders willful, ordered contempt proceeding against the ministry and allowed me Rs25,000 towards cost of my case,’’ Kumar told DNA late on Wednesday night. He said he was currently out of Delhi and would decide about the resumption of duty as deputy chairman only after going through the judgment.
“Last time (on August 22 ), I was not allowed to resume my duty as deputy chairman of KPT even though I was armed with an order from CAT for my reinstatement. When I reported this to CAT, it after hearing the ministry side finally quashed all its orders against my reinstatement. But, now I cannot be prevented from resuming my duty as the CAT orders were clear and final, but I am yet to make up my mind as I am currently out of Delhi and traveling,’’ he said, adding that he would first consult his friends before returning to Kandla.
Confirming about the judgment, union shipping secretary APVN Sarma said that the ministry would decide about appeal only after going through the judgment. Sources in the port say that that the ministry can make appeal against the CAT order in a bench of high court.
Kumar is an Indian Economic Service officer and he had come on deputation for five years as deputy chairman of KPT in September 2006. But he constantly remained a controversial figure in the port trust. When he as a vigilance officer of the port trust, he reported many land-related irregularities worth crores of rupees to the central vigilance commission directly. This later led to CBI inquiries and its raids several times against various KPT officials.
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