Arrested for Kotkhai custodial death, 3 senior cops reinstated

Blurb:

Await posting

When arrested, ZH Zaidi was posted IGP, DW Negi SP and Manoj Joshi DSP

They, however, will figure in list of officers with doubtful integrity

They would also not be given any important posting

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 25

The services of former Himachal Inspector General of Police ZH Zaidi, SP DW Negi and DSP Manoj Joshi, arrested for the custodial death of accused Suraj in the infamous Kotkhai rape-murder case, have been reinstated. They, however, are yet to be given any fresh posting.

Eight police personnel, including Zaidi and Joshi, were arrested on August 29, 2017, while Negi landed behind bars on November 16, 2017. All the three are out on bail currently. Suraj had died at the Kotkhai police station on the night of July 18, 2017.

“All the three officers have been reinstated and are awaiting posting,” confirmed Director General of Police SR Mardi.

After being released on bail, the trio reported at the police headquarters and sought revocation of their suspension and fresh posting. A high-level committee considered the cases and recommended revocation of Negi and Joshi’s suspension in exercise of powers conferred under Rule 10(5) (c ) of CCS (CCA) Rules 1965. Zaidi got relief under Rule 3 (7) of All India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules 1969.

The rules allow the state government to reinstate officers if they are not convicted and the case is pending. Their names, however, would figure in the list of officers with doubtful integrity and they would not be given any important posting.

The rules suggest that in the case of a government servant who was suspended… and thereafter released without any prosecution having been launched, the competent authority should apply its mind at the time of revocation of the suspension and reinstatement of the official and if he comes to the conclusion that the suspension was wholly unjustified, full pay and allowances may be allowed.