Decide on TSTDC MD Manohar Rao's suspension within a week: Telangana HC to govt
Boinpally Manohar Rao's suspension came into effect on November 17, 2023, following directives from the Election Commission of India
By Newsmeter Network Published on 30 Dec 2023 6:30 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has warned to initiate contempt proceedings against the government if its order on suspension of MD of Tourism State Development Corporation (TSTDC) is not complied with within a week.
A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar on Friday expressed disappointment over the non-compliance of its order issued on December 4, 2023.
The court directed the state government to promptly decide on the suspension of Boinpally Manohar Rao, Managing Director of Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation. The court set a one-week deadline for the government to take the decision.
Boinpally Manohar Rao's suspension came into effect on November 17, 2023, following directives from the Election Commission of India. The MD was suspended for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct by accompanying V. Srinivas Goud, a former Minister to Tirumala on November 16, 2023.
During the hearing, Manohar Rao's counsel informed the court that the authorities had not yet complied with the court's directives.
Further, comparing the case to a similar incident where the suspension of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) was revoked within a week, the counsel highlighted that Manohar Rao's suspension persisted.
Senior Counsel Avinash Desai, representing the Election Commission of India, informed the court that ECI has not received the file.
The Government Pleader (GP) sought a further adjournment to file a compliance report to the Court. However, after hearing the GP, the court expressed its displeasure. It noted that the petitioner was not involved in corruption activities, the elections were over, and questioned the rationale behind keeping the suspension of an officer for minor issues.
The Court warned that if the authorities failed to comply with its orders by the next date of hearing, they would pass necessary orders and initiate contempt of court proceedings against the concerned authorities. The case was adjourned to January 8, 2024.
