CAT directs Delhi Police to consider ASI for promotion

NEW DELHI: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ordered the Delhi Police to consider the case of an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) for promotion to the post of Sub-Inspector (SI) who was first punished for graft but later given a clean chit.

A bench of the Tribunal comprising Chairman Justice V K Bali and Vice-Chairman L K Joshi also set aside the penalty of forfeiture of one year of service and reduction in pay imposed on the ASI by the department.

The bench observed that despite the fact that the applicant (petitioner) was exonerated of the charge levelled against him by the authorities, he was denied promotion on the ground that he was let off on technical grounds.

However when the counsel for Delhi Government Ajesh Luthra admitted that it was on account of an error, the Tribunal said,"We place our appreciation on record for the stand taken by the learned counsel and also observe that it is not the duty of the State counsel to oppose every case. It is rather the duty of the State counsel to assist the Court to arrive at a correct conclusion."

Petitioner ASI Manbeer Singh was accused of not initiating criminal action against a scooterist who hit a pedestrian and facilitating a compromise between the parties.

He had allegedly made the scooterist pay Rs 6000 to the injured and had himself taken Rs 800 as a "gift" from the accused