Orissa High Court Quashes 13-Year Suspension Penalty On Revenue Inspector After Acquittal In Corruption Case; Orders Full Financial Benefits

Orissa High Court quashes 13-year suspension penalty on Revenue Inspector Kansari Behera after his acquittal in a corruption case. The court ruled that the disciplinary authority violated the law by not complying with an earlier appellate order. Behera’s suspension period from 2000 to 2013 is to be treated as duty, granting him full financial benefits. The case involved allegations of bribery, but Behera was acquitted in 2011. Despite this, the disciplinary authority did not immediately reinstate him and treated the suspension period as non-duty. Behera appealed, and the appellate authority set aside the disciplinary order in 2019. However, a fresh order in 2021 reaffirmed the suspension period as non-duty, prompting Behera to approach the High Court, which ruled in his favor.