K MALLIKARJUNA Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is filed by the petitioner questioning the suspension Proceedings No.Vig.I(2)43/2020, dated 30.06.2020 issued by the second respondent, received by the petitioner on 01.07.2020, on the basis of adverse news published in Andhra Jyothi Telugu daily that the petitioner influenced officials of the fourth Respondent to issue and distribute unprocessed and non-certified Groundnut seeds to the farmers in the district as illegal, improper, unjust, arbitrary, contrary to law and without jurisdiction.

(2.) The petitioner is working as Assistant Director of Agriculture (Regular) Kalyanadurg since 20-06-2019 in Kalyanadurg division comprising of the following mandals, namely (1) Kalyanadurg (2) Kambadur (3) Settur (4) Kundurpi (5) Beluguppa and (6) Bramhasamudram without any adverse remarks.

(3.) While so, on 03-06-2020 a news Item with a caption "Aakash Ramanna company - Anantha Rythuku Buridi" has been published in Andhra Jyothi Telugu daily newspaper in the district edition, in which it was adversely commented that, one key Agricultural Department Officer of Department of Agriculture colluded with prime public representative and resorted to the unauthorized transaction of groundnut seeds being supplied by Akash Agro Tech and supplied poor quality seeds to the farmers.