Shalarth ID scam: MAT quashes suspension of Narad, 2 other education officials

Nagpur: The Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) recently quashed the suspension of three education department officials, including former divisional deputy director of education, Ulhas Narad, holding that prolonged suspension without initiating a departmental inquiry is impermissible. Justice Vinay Joshi passed the order, directing the state govt to reinstate all three applicants within two weeks. Along with Narad, education officials Sanjay Bodadkar and Suraj Naik, both attached to the divisional education office, were granted relief. The three were suspended in April 2025 in connection with an FIR alleging that Shalarth ID, a key identification number which enables an employee to get payment from govt treasury, was approved for the post of headmaster at Nanaji Pudke Vidyalaya in Bhandara district on the basis of forged documents.The three officials moved the MAT, citing that more than 90 days after the suspension orders were issued, the state govt hasn't initiated a departmental inquiry or filed a charge sheet. Citing Supreme Court precedents and state service rules, they contended that suspension cannot be sustained under such circumstances. Advocate Anil Dhawas appeared for the applicants.