Orissa HC Quashes Disciplinary Action Against IPS Officer Satish Gajbhiye

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday quashed a disciplinary proceeding initiated against IPS officer Satish Gajbhiye, enabling him to get promotion and other benefits.

According to sources, the disciplinary proceeding was taken by the Home department in 2015 in a case related to the arrest of a hardcore Maoist in 2007 when Gajbhiye was Malkangiri SP. After the Maoist’s arrest, Rs 3,55,000 was remitted to Gajbhiye for making payment of Rs 1,55,000 to six police personnel and the rest amount to the civilian informers. But some police personnel lodged a complaint against Gajbhiye alleging non-receipt of the reward amount.

A preliminary inquiry conducted by the DIGP (Intelligence) Sanjeeb Panda into the complaint established that the amount was not disbursed. Accordingly, the disciplinary proceeding was initiated against the SP. Later, Gajbhiye had challenged the action in the high court.

During the hearing of the case, the high court observed that a proceeding, which is not initiated in lawful manner sans the avowed principles of natural justice, cannot be a just proceeding and is void ab initio.

The court directed the opposite parties to confer all the promotions and benefits appurtenant thereto retrospectively to the petitioner vis-a-vis his batch mates within a month.