Dated : 13th March, 2018.

PRESS RELEASE

Government Should Sack Tainted Officer

It has been reported in a section of the media that an official suspected to be involved in the ASPC job-for-cash case, currently serving as Circle Officer of Nazira, has expressed the intention to cooperate with the police and become an approver in the case. It is further reported the person has confessed before a Judicial Magistrate that the post of an officer under the ASPC was secured through bribery.

It is, therefore, surprising that the officer in question has not been placed under suspension with immediate effect. It may be pointed out that Sections 606 to 608 of the Cr.P.C., which deal with accomplices who turn approvers, do not guarantee exemption from punishment per se. Moreover, whether the courts will incarcerate or acquit the said officer will be determined in the future after due process of law, but what is important now is that the person has virtually admitted to buying the post without relying on merit. Although the person cannot be arrested till 23rd March as a result of securing interim bail from the court, yet one fails to see any reason as to why the person is being allowed to continue as Circle officer of Nazira, instead of being placed under suspension for having become a civil service officer through unfair means.

The State Government must ensure that the officer in question is forthwith given the same administrative punishment that has been given to many others who have committed the same offence.

(DEBABRATA SAIKIA)