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Judgment
The present Writ Petition is filed questioning the inaction of Respondent-Authorities in revoking the suspension of the Petitioner, as illegal and arbitrary.
The Petitioner is working as Manager in Respondent No.5-Bank. While so, a malicious news publication was published, alleging that the Petitioner was involved in canvassing votes for a political contesting candidate. Based on the said news publication and a complaint dated 06.04.2024, the Returning Officer, 167-Tirupati Assembly Constituency, vide letter dated 07.04.2024, directed Respondent No.3 to take appropriate action. Thereafter, on the instructions of Respondent No.3, Respondent No.5 suspended the Petitioner on 09.04.2024.
Thereafter, an enquiry was conducted by a committee constituted by Respondent No.5-Bank, and a report dated 10.06.2024 was submitted, stating that there was no direct or indirect evidence to show that the Petitioner had conducted a meeting to canvass votes for a contesting political candidate, as alleged in the newspaper. Thereafter, another enquiry was conducted by the Divisional Cooperative Officer, Tirupati, with respect to the allegations against the Petitioner, and a report was submitted on 19.02.2026, wherein it was stated that the Petitioner had not canvassed votes in favour of a contesting political candidate under the guise of sanctioning medical bills to retired employees and also requested to issue appropriate orders on the disciplinary case filed against the Petitioner and to revoke the suspension of the Petitioner. The relevant portion of the report reads as under:-
“Findings: On the basis of aforementioned facts and circumstances, the alleged meeting held on 06.4.2024 was found as not organized by B.Muni Prabhakar Reddy, Manager, Tirupati Cooperative Bank Ltd., Tirupati. It is also found that he has not canvassed to vote in favour of Bhumana Abhinaya Reddy under the guise of sanction of medical bills to the retired employees of Tirupati Cooperative Bank Ltd., Tirupati. However, B.Muni Prabhakar Reddy, Manager, Tirupati Cooperative Bank Ltd., Tirupati has been continuing under suspension from 09-04-2024 to till date. The Managing Director, Tirupati Cooperative Bank Ltd., Tirupati has been requesting for issue of appropriate orders on the disciplinary case of B.Muni Prabhakar Reddy, Manager, Tirupati Cooperative Bank Ltd., Tirupati.
In the light of aforementioned facts and circumstances, I request to take further action in the matter pursuant to the Letter, Roc. No.H/347/2024, Dated 22.04.2024, the Collector & District Election Officer, Tirupati.”
On the basis of the report referred above, the District Cooperative Officer, Tirupati addressed a letter, dated 27.02.2026 to the District Collector, Tirupati seeking revocation of the suspension of the Petitioner. However, as no further action is being taken thereon, the Writ Petition is filed.
Heard the counsels.
In the light of the enquiry reports dated 10.06.2024 as well as 19.02.2026, exonerating the Petitioner, there is no other reason to keep the Petitioner under suspension. Therefore, this Writ Petition is disposed of with the following directions:-
The Respondent No.3 shall forthwith take note of the enquiry reports dated 10.06.2024 and 19.02.2026 and shall pass necessary instructions to the Respondent No.5-Bank regarding the continuance of the suspension of the Petitioner, within a period of two weeks from today.
No order as to costs.
As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, pending if any, shall stand closed.