The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday accepted the affidavit of State Government saying that all Officers with Doubtful Integrity (ODI) were transferred from the sensitive posts to non-sensitive posts, hence court disposed off the writ petition.
A Division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir and Justice Kuldip Singh observed that all orders passed in the petition are complied with by the Government. State Government in its affidavit informed that 33 serving officers were shifted to non sensitive posts and one was acquitted by the court and eight were exonerated from the charges in departmental proceedings, whereas one has retired during the span of proceedings.
Earlier, the High Court had directed to transfer 43 officers with doubtful integrity, as early as possible and from sensitive posts to non-sensitive posts. Court had directed the government to identify the posts in three weeks and shift such officers from the sensitive posts.
Petitioner Sher Singh had approached the High Court, against the departmental proceedings initiated by the Government against the officials. The High Court enlarged the scope of this writ petition and directed the Government to submit the list of ODI officers. Thereafter, High Court had taken a tough stand on corruption and directed the Government to inform Government officials that whosoever, would cause delay in dealing with cases pertaining to officials, booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), may be arrayed, as accused.
The then chief justice Kurian Joseph while hearing this petition of Sher Singh observed that ‘we do not want to create sensation but want to sensitise the officers of the state”. Court observed verbally that the officer causing delays are equally responsible in such cases.Chief Justice had observed that delay at the investigation stage and at grant of sanction stage is fatal to the cases registered under Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). In view of such directions the court had directed the Government to furnish the details of the officers who are with doubtful integrity.