The Tamil Nadu State Government recently notified the Madras High Court about the suspension of a concerned officer, vide order dated 18th March 2021. The Delinquent officer, Special DGP, a senior to the female IPS Officer was charged with sexual harassment.
The Madras Court has decided to monitor the investigation into the case itself and has taken suo moto cognizance of alleged ex DGP. The suspension of the ex-officer has been remarked as a “Positive action” by the court. The bench further said that the suspension will act as a confidence booster for the Subordinate Officer carrying the investigation and for the public watching the progress of the said case.
The IO in the said case has come up with recorded statements of 87 witnesses apart from recording the statements of the accused person. He has further informed that it would take six to eight weeks to file the Final Report of the case as there are some more witnesses to be examined.
After the submissions of the counsel of the accused which went in the tune of the entire case being a conspiracy, it was observed that the Court shall take the accused’s stand into consideration too.
The Court had commented in its earlier order on the availability of prima facie materials against the accused. It further stated that till a final Report is filed before the concerned jurisdictional court, the investigation is purely within the realm of the IO.
The Court finally said that the IO should not file an erroneous report because of the time limits that are imposed and posted the matter ‘for filing further status report’ on 30th April 2021.
