KISHORI BARUAH Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. D. Das, learned senior counsel for the petitioner and also Mr. T.C. Chutia, learned Additional Senior Government Advocate appearing for the State respondent authorities.

(2.) The petitioner, who was serving as a District Social Welfare Officer at Guwahati and was also holding the post of Protection Officer under the Protection of Woman from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, was placed under suspension by an order dated 04.03.2017. The order states that the suspension is w.e.f. 27.02017 on which date, she was arrested in connection with ACB Police Station Case No. 19/2016 under section 120(B)/468/420/409 IPC r/w Section 13(1)(d)/13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

(3.) A reading of the FIR in the ACB PS Case No. 19/2016 shows that there are some very serious charges against the petitioner, leading to defalcation of huge amount of public money. The charges pertain to non maintenance of accurate records for implementing the integrated child development schemes, and other charges, which are reflected in the ejahar. As it is a case, where apart from putting the petitioner under suspension on the ground of having been arrested in connection with the aforesaid police case, but such suspension order would also be justified in the public interest inasmuch as, in the event, the petitioner is allowed to remain in office, there is a possibility that there may be tempering and manipulating of the materials on record.