Central Administrative Tribunal stays probe against cop

 

Chennai:  The Madras bench of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Thursday passed an interim order to stay all departmental proceedings against deputy inspector general of police A.G. Ponn Manickavel. The CAT has also restrained the state government from taking into consideration the pendency of the charge memo while considering the official for promotion. 

 

In the petition A. G. Ponn Manickavel submitted based on certain allegations of corruption during his tenure as SP at the erstwhile district of Chengai (East) from 2002 to 2003, the charges were framed on the basis of a report by the then DIG of the range.

 

Subsequently, inquiries were conducted by agencies like state CBCID and Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption. None of them could prove corruption charges against him.

 

However, in October 2008, the Director General of Police had initiated disciplinary proceedings and instructed to send a draft charge letter against him without verifying the allegations.

 

He sent a representation to the Home Department in December 2008, requesting intervention in the matter and end further inquiry. Again, inquiry continued and handed over to a new officer in 2009. Based on his petition, CAT stayed the proceedings in 2009, he said. However, inquiry continued. Hence, he moved the CAT.

 

On Thursday, the bench comprising judicial member K Elango and administrative member P Prabhakaran passed an interim stay on the proceedings.