NAGARAM BALAKRISHNA Vs. STATE OF A.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India questioning the action of the first respondent in issuing G.O.Rt.No.1567 General Administration (SEB.I) Department dated 12.10.2020, thereby suspending the petitioner basing on the report of the fifth respondent as illegal, arbitrary and contrary to the provisions of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (for short 'the Act') and consequently suspend G.O.Rt.No.1567 dated 12.10.2020 issued by the first respondent.

(2.) The factual matrix of the case is as follows:

(3.) The petitioner while working as Enforcement Superintendent in Special Enforcement Bureau, Guntur Division, Guntur District , seized Non-Duty Paid Liquor which was being transported illegally. The petitioner holds recognition for detecting 177 cases, arrest of 401 accused, seizing 12939 bottles of liquor and 139 vehicles including lorries and four wheelers, to show that he worked with sincerity and honesty in his duties. The contention of the petitioner is that, having an evil eye on his sincerity, few political leaders and his colleagues hatched a plan to frame him and published a news article in the month of July, 2020 stating that one higher official in Special Enforcement Bureau Wing is harassing women. On the anonymous complaint, a belt case was registered at Special Enforcement Bureau Station, Pedakurapadu on 07.09.2020. During investigation, on 10.09.2020, a cell phone belonging to one Brahmam, salesman of government retail outlet of Lemalle village was handed over to one Ch. Geetha, Sub-Inspector, Pedakurapadu (henceforth referred as 'victim') through Assistant Excise Superintendent as part of duty.