The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to dispose of the appeal of IPS officer Archana Ramasundaram questioning her suspension by the Tamil Nadu government after she joined the CBI as Additional Director.
A Bench of Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and Justices Madan B. Lokur and A.K. Sikri passed this order on an application from Ms. Ramasundaram which said the Centre should consider her promotion for appointment as the DGP of the BSF or any other Central organisation.
Senior counsel Shekar Naphade, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, opposed the application stating that when the officer had been suspended by the State, she could not be appointed or promoted to any other post. Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi submitted that the Centre had written to the State government to relieve Ms. Ramasundaram. As no response was received for three months, she was asked to join the CBI as Additional Director and she joined on May 8.
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On the same day, she was suspended by the State government though it had no power to do so. He pointed out that as Ms. Ramasundaram had assumed charge pursuant to a valid appointment and a specific direction from the Union government, she could not be accused of desertion of her post in the State.
Senior counsel Siddarth Luthra, appearing for Ms. Ramasundaram, submitted that she could be considered for promotion as the DGP as the State had no authority to suspend her.