The Bangalore Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ordered issue of notices to the State and the Union governments on a petition filed by R.P. Sharma, IPS officer.
Mr. Sharma, in his petition, sought a direction to the government to consider him for the President’s medal for distinguished service to be presented during Republic Day celebrations in 2014.
In his petition, Mr. Sharma, who is Additional Director-General of Police (BMTF), Bangalore, said that he did not get the President’s medal for distinguished service in August 2013 because of the delay of the State in communicating to the authorities concerned the “factual position about a non-existing disciplinary inquiry of 2003”.
He pointed out in his petition that it was only after CAT issued an order that it was ascertained that no inquiry was pending against him and he was awarded the President’s medal for meritorious service in 2007.
Again when he was being considered for the distinguished service award, the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 16, 2013 wrote to the State to clarify through a special messenger by July 18 about pendency of disciplinary inquiry against him. He alleged in his petition that the State government sent its clarification only on October 10, 2013.
But by the time the State communicated to the Centre that no inquiry was pending against him and that the 2003 issue was closed, the Ministry announced the list of awardees for the distinguished service.
Mr. Sharma alleged that the authorities concerned were deliberately raking up the 2003 issue whenever he was being considered for any award or special postings.
The Central Administrative Tribunal will hear Mr. Sharma’s plea again on January 2.
