Himachal High Court has put a stay on the suspension and departmental inquiry of SP Rajesh Verma. The court said how can departmental proceedings be initiated against an employee if he approaches the court with his complaint. Verma was demanding implementation of recruitment rules.
High Court asked questions to the government on suspending SP Rajesh Verma
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [भारत]July 13 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh High Court has stayed the departmental proceedings and suspension order initiated against Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Verma. The court has raised sharp questions on the state government’s decision to punish an officer for seeking judicial remedy.
Know what is the whole matter
This case is related to SP Rajesh Verma, who is currently working in the Directorate of Police Communication and Technical Services. He had been repeatedly approaching the court demanding implementation of the department’s 2010 recruitment and promotion rules. Verma alleged that in retaliation for raising the issue, the state government was harassing him and taking disciplinary action. On December 3, 2025, the state suspended Verma under Rule 10(1) of the Central Civil Services (CCA) Rules, 1965, citing pending disciplinary proceedings. The state argued that Verma consistently acted against departmental interests and raised moot matters regarding rules that were never officially approved by the legislature.
The court made strict remarks
Intervening in the matter, a bench headed by Justice Sandeep Sharma stayed the execution of the suspension order. The Court said that although the State Government has the power to suspend employees pending investigation, the alleged misconduct was not serious enough to justify suspension. The bench said that it appears that the officer is being targeted primarily for approaching a competent court to enforce the rules.
Subsequently, in a related order passed on July 1, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel stayed the state’s January 27 departmental memorandum restraining officials from pursuing the investigation. While granting the interim relief, Justice Goyal observed, “This Court fails to understand how departmental proceedings can be initiated against an employee when he invokes the writ jurisdiction of this Court for redressal of his grievance.”
The High Court has given six weeks time to the state government to file its reply in this matter. (ANI)
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