Departmental inquiry against Sriram begins

Thiruvananthapuram: The government has begun departmental inquiry against IAS officer

Sriram Venkitaraman

who was involved in a drunken driving incident causing the death of a journalist in the capital.

The departmental inquiry is being conducted by principal secretary (industries)

Sanjay Garg

who is the chief investigating officer.

On Tuesday, power and water resources secretary B Ashok presented the case against Sriram in the presence of the officer as well as management representative of Siraj daily.

Sriram Venkitaraman in an inebriated condition drove the car which hit the bike of

Muhammed Basheer

, a journalist working for Siraj daily, leading to the death of Basheer. Sriram is currently placed under suspension.

As per rules, the period of suspension of a member of the All India Service on charges other than corruption shall not exceed one year. The inquiry against him should be completed and appropriate order should be issued within a year from the date of suspension failing which the suspension order will automatically stand revoked. Depending on the findings of the inquiry, any penalty could be awarded to him by the government ranging from censuring (which is the minor penalty), cutting of increments, demotion in the rank of the officer to lower time scale and pay, compulsory retirement or removal from the service.

The articles of charge against the officer along with the statement of imputations were served on him, for which he can make his defence. This will be considered by the inquiry officer appointed by the government to undertake disciplinary action against him. The disciplinary action against Sriram is in addition to the criminal proceedings being initiated by the police against him under sections of IPC.

A couple of more sittings will be convened before finalizing the report against the officer.


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