SC acquits former OPSC Chairman

New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court has exonerated former Orissa Public Service Comission (OPSC) chairman H B Mirdha on the charges of misconduct, bribery and misbehaviour with a female member.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and J M Panchal decided a presidential reference under Article 317(1) of the Constitution in favour of Dr Mirdha.

The presidential reference was made to the apex court for a opinion regarding the charges levelled against Dr Mirdha in 2003.

There were three main allegations namely, while conducting the Orissa Civil Services Examinations in 2000, he did not disclose the facts that his two married daughters were appearing in the examination.

His defence was that his daughters had later withdrawn their names and did not appear in the said examination.

Second allegation was that on June 5, 2001, Dr Mirdha had used vulgar and vituperative language against Dr (Mrs) Ray when she refused to oblige him and to issue addmission cards.

Third allegation contended that Dr Mirdha had taken a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh for appointing one Ms Ajanta Nayak as junior lecturer in Home Science.

The apex court while disposing of the reference concluded, ''the net discussion made above in the case that none of the charges levelled against Dr Mirdha stand proved. The reference is therefore decided in favour of Dr Mirdha and answered in negative.'' UNI SC SW RP VC1728