HC stays suspension of SDO ordered by Vij

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed a suspension order and criminal proceedings directed by state minister Anil Vij against a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) on October 10.

The court passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Rahul Yadav, SDO, Guhla. Yadav had approached the court after the District Grievance Committee (DGC) chaired by Vij directed that he be suspended and an FIR be registered against him.

Yadav argued that the DGC had no authority to pass such orders as only the Managing Director, UHBVN, being the competent authority, could take a decision regarding his service, in accordance with the applicable service rules in terms of Article 309 of the Constitution.

Vij had ordered the suspension while conducting a meeting of the committee in Kaithal on a complaint filed by a person, alleging that the SDO had demanded a bribe for granting an electricity connection.

The court has stayed the order and barred the authorities from taking any coercive steps until the next date of hearing fixed for April 21 next year.