HC backs govt order of officer’s early retirement

Cuttack: Orissa high court has validated state govt’s premature retirement order of Odisha forest service (OFS) officer Laxman Kumar Pradhan on grounds of dereliction of duty and failure to maintain integrity in office.
Pradhan’s premature retirement order was issued on Jan 20, 2021, based on a recommendation by a review committee when he was 56. By then, two departmental proceedings were initiated against him and the inquiry was not concluded and he was under suspension. Another criminal case was registered against him by the state vigilance and final investigation was in progress. Pradhan challenged the order the same year.
While dismissing Pradhan’s plea on Monday, Justice M S Raman said the review committee had thoroughly followed the parameters laid down in the guidelines set by the state govt. He added, “In the present context, it can be stated based on such guidelines that it is not prudent in the public interest to retain a govt employee in service if he lacks integrity and such an employee is liable for premature retirement.”