SC says no to reinstatement of tainted cops

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has sent clear signals to the men in uniform that those who are supposed to protect the people cannot continue in service if they are found indulging in serious crimes like robbery.

A bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat refused to interfere with the decision of Bihar Police department dismissing three constables.

The three were apprehended by the people near Patna High Court in October 1991, when they were trying to escape with the booty.

The public came to know that the three were police constables only when they were handed over to the police. A case of robbery was registered against them. They were acquitted by the trial court due to lack of evidence.

The constables had challenged their dismissal from service on the grounds that they were given a clean chit by the trial court in the criminal case.

The apex court, in its judgement noted, ''There is nothing in the rules which states that once a criminal case has been registered, no departmental proceedings shall be instituted. Proceedings in a departmental inquiry and a trial were separate and distinct and acquittal was no ground to set aside action taken after an inquiry by the department.'' The booty was also recovered from the trio.

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