Being under suspension, CBI’s Additional Director Archana Ramasundaram cannot take up any assignment with the Central Government, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday negating her attempt to wriggle out of the unpleasant controversy surrounding her appointment
The Supreme Court had earlier held her appointment to be prima facie illegal and restrained her from performing any official function. Caught between a suspension and stoppage of work, Ramasundaram had approached the apex court to be given permission to migrate to any other Central department as she was empanelled as the DGP.
Dealing with her application, the Bench headed by Chief Justice Hl Dattu said, “It is brought to our notice by the Tamil Nadu Government that for good or bad reasons you (Ramasundaram) are kept under suspension. Now you want us to clarify that pending suspension, you can be accommodated in another establishment. Is it possible for us to do thatIJ”
The Bench allowed the officer to withdraw her application and pursue her remedy with the Centre where an appeal filed by her challenging the disciplinary action is still pending. The Court told Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to ensure a quick decision on the officer’s appeal. Rohatgi had questioned the validity of the suspension order and had even recommended to the Centre to allow her take up any other assignment as DGP.
Ramasundaram, a 1980-batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, was suspended by the Tamil Nadu Government on May 8 this year on the ground that she “deserted” the cadre before joining the CBI on May 9.
Her appointment in the CBI was questioned in a PIl filed by Vineet Narain who alleged that the appointment was made throwing to wind all procedure prescribed by the court in Vineet Narain case in 1997.
According to the petition, Ramasundaram’s name was not recommended by the Selection Commission comprising CVC. Instead, Ramasundaram’s name was superimposed by the Centre which raised serious questions on independence and transparency of CBI appointments meant to be insulated against political influences.