K SOMASUNDARAM Vs. REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD both sides. In W.P.No.15313 of 2009, the petitioner is a Village Administrative Officer in Chennai Samudram 'B' Village. By proceedings, dated 29.11.2006, he was transferred to Anjur-B village. Thereafter, he was arrested in connection with a crime No.8 of 2008 on the file of the District Crime Branch, Erode with offences under Sections 120B, 419, 420, 468 and 471 IPC.

(2.) THE petitioner contended that the alleged occurrence had taken place during October, 2005 and his name did not find place in the FIR. But, the respondent Revenue Divisional Officer, Erode, by an order, dated 24.1.2008 suspended him in public interest and that enquiry into grave charges were pending and also that he was arrested for tampering with village records and remanded to custody. THE writ petition was admitted on 4.8.2009. Pending writ petition, this court granted an interim stay, stating that it was a prolonged suspension and this court in AIR 1970 MAD 155 (State of Madras Vs. K.A.Joseph) held that prolonged suspension cannot be ordered.

(3.) SIMILARLY, in W.P.No.27484 of 2009, the petitioner is also a Village Administrative Officer at Sivagiri village. He is also involved in the same crime and was also placed under suspension, by an order, dated 1.2.2008. When the petitioner came to challenge the same, since the other writ petition was referred to, that was also directed to be posted along with the vacate stay petition.