103 cops convicted in criminal cases still in service, Punjab tells High Court

Source:-https://www.tribuneindia.com

Chandigarh, December 19

In an astounding revelation, the Punjab Government has told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that no less than 103 convicted police functionaries, including three SPs and two DSPs, were continuing in service.

An affidavit filed before the court by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice makes it clear that some police officials were even convicted in drug cases, but continuing in service after the suspension of conviction.

The affidavit adds that one police official, sentenced to life imprisonment in a kidnapping and murder case under Sections 364, 342, 302, 201 and 120-B of the IPC, was serving sentence at the Patiala Central Jail. “In this regard, information may please be taken from the litigation branch office of the DGP, Punjab,” it says.

In an apparent attempt to justify their continuation, the government has referred to a High Court judgment, claiming that it categorically observed that neither any provision of the Constitution nor any rule provides that a government employee has to be necessarily dismissed from service in case of conviction in a criminal matter.

“It is for the punishing authority to decide each and every case and the quantum of punishment to be inflicted on the convicted employee keeping in view the gravity of conduct that led to his conviction on criminal charge. Similarly, the dismissal of a government employee cannot be automatic merely on the registration of an FIR against him/her,” the affidavit adds. Policing the police, the High Court had earlier called for details of accused and convicts in uniform.