Das suspended from service pending inquiry

T'puram: Following a leaked telephonic conversation between SP Sujith Das and P V Anvar, MLA, the govt has initiated disciplinary action against the officer. Das has been suspended from service, pending a departmental inquiry against him.

The suspension was ordered on Thursday evening by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He was earlier removed from the post of SP (Pathanamthitta). The higher-ups of the police force were of the opinion that comments and disclosures made by Das against colleagues and other members of the police force have brought extreme disgrace to the whole force, thereby breaching the discipline that a police officer should maintain. Das has made derogatory comments about his colleagues, including the SPs of other districts. He is also heard pleading with Anvar, to withdraw the petition he had filed against Das regarding the tree felling incident at the Malappuram camp office, during his tenure as SP.

Placing an officer under suspension, pending an inquiry, is the first step in disciplinary action. If the explanation furnished by the officer is not satisfactory, the govt can frame charges against him and hold an inquiry by appointing an inquiry officer of its choice and a presenting officer to present the case. As per the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, depending on the findings of the inquiry, any penalty could be awarded by the govt, ranging from censuring (which is the minor penalty), cutting down the increments, reducing the rank of the officer to a lower time scale and pay, compulsory retirement, removal from service, or retirement from service. Sujith Das is also under probe by a special team under the DGP constituted for the purpose.