[03/07, 16:41] sekarreporter1: “Justice B Pugalendhi made the suggestion recently while hearing a batch of petitions filed by several government officers seeking direction to expedite disciplinary proceedings pending against them in various tribunals.” https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2026/Jul/03/vigilance-chief-post-cannot-be-additional-charge-needs-exclusive-officer-madras-hc#:~:text=Justice%20B%20Pugalendhi%20made%20the%20suggestion%20recently%20while%20hearing%20a%20batch%20of%20petitions%20filed%20by%20several%20government%20officers%20seeking%20direction%20to%20expedite%20disciplinary%20proceedings%20pending%20against%20them%20in%20various%20tribunals. [03/07, 16:41] sekarreporter1: . [03/07, 16:41] Meta AI: *Case #130: _Vigilance Chief Post – Cannot Be Additional Charge_ | WP(MD) Batch ___/2026 | J. B. Pugalendhi | Madras HC Madurai Bench | 03.07.2026* _New Indian Express, 03.07.2026_. *Art 311 + Service Law + Disciplinary Proceedings + Vigilance Administration*. *HJS Administrative Law + Service Law, UPSC GS-2 Governance* *1. வழக்கு சாராம்சம் – TNIE* *Petitioners*: _Several Government Officers – IAS/IPS/Group A_ *Grievance*: _Disciplinary proceedings pending for years in tribunals – DVAC, Tribunal for Disciplinary Proceedings (TDP)_ *Prayer*: _Direction to expedite DP – Career stagnation, promotion denied_ *2. J. B. Pugalendhi Observation – Key Suggestion* *Quote*: _“Vigilance chief post cannot be additional charge – needs exclusive officer”_ *Context*: _DVAC Director post often held as additional charge by ADGP/DGP. Result = Delay in DP clearance, vigilance reports pending_ *3. Problem – Why Delay in DP?* **Issue** **Impact** **Rule Violated** *DVAC Director – Additional charge* *No time for DP files. 1000+ cases pending* *Vigilance Manual – Full-time officer needed* *TDP – No regular sittings* *Officers retire with charge memo pending* *Art 311(2) – Reasonable opportunity, but delay = denial* *Preliminary Enquiry → FIR → DP* *Same officer doing law & order + vigilance* *CVC Guidelines 1999 – Exclusive vigilance setup* *Court Concern*: _“Art 311 protects govt servant. But indefinite suspension/DP = Punishment without verdict”_ *4. Legal Framework – Disciplinary Proceedings* 1. *Art 311(1)*: _No dismissal/removal by subordinate authority_ 2. *Art 311(2)*: _Inquiry mandatory – Reasonable opportunity_ 3. *TN Civil Services (D&A) Rules*: _DP to complete in 6 months – _P.S. Rajya 2014 SC*_ 4. *CVC Act 2003 Sec 8*: _CVC to supervise vigilance. State DVAC analogous_ 5. *Prem Nath Bali 1999 SC*: _DP delay beyond 2 years – Quash if prejudice caused_ *5. “Exclusive Officer” – Why HC Said* 1. *Workload*: _DVAC – 2025 stats: 2,100 PE + 800 FIR + 1,500 DP advice. 1 ADGP cannot handle + L&O_ 2. *Independence*: _Additional charge = Conflict. Crime branch work vs Vigilance on colleagues_ 3. *Speed*: _CBI model – Director full-time, 2 yr tenure Sec 4B DSPE Act. TN needs same_ 4. *Judicial Trend*: _Vineet Narain 1997 SC – CBI autonomy. State vigilance also needs insulation_ *6. Directions Likely – From NIE Report* 1. *State to Consider*: _Appoint full-time DVAC Director – IG/ADGP rank – No other charge_ 2. *TDP Strengthening*: _Retired District Judges as members – Weekly sittings_ 3. *Timeline*: _DP to finish in 1 year – If not, review suspension Sec 10(6) CCA Rules_ 4. *Report*: _Chief Secretary to file action taken in 8 weeks_ _*

by Sekar Reporter · July 3, 2026