Install CCTVs to check graft, Transport Dept told

Justice S M Subramaniam passed the direction while taking strong exception to ignoring a complaint lodged against M Sugumar, Joint Managing Director, TN State Transport Development Finance Corporation, of misappropriations, and several illegalities and irregularities in dealing with the Transport Corporation funds.

Based on this, the bench also directed the Department Secretary and the Joint Managing Director to conduct an inquiry into the allegations set out in the representation submitted by the petitioner on May 31 and initiate all further actions by following the procedures contemplated, within six weeks.

“Such serious allegations raised by the erstwhile employee of the Transport Corporation in the cadre of Senior Superintendent can never be allowed to be buried by keeping the complaint pending for years together. Such an attitude is to be construed as favouritism on the part of the competent authorities against whom such allegations are raised,” Justice Subramaniam said.

He also noted that if a fair and free inquiry was not conducted, the trust and confidence in the administration of the Transport Corporations would be shaken. “Thus, not conducting an inquiry into such serious allegations will provide a ground to draw a factual inference that the higher officials are also attempting to bury the complaint and such a situation will affect the efficiency of public administration.”

Through another direction, Justice Subramaniam also directed the Transport Secretary to conduct investigations and inquiries to ascertain the asset details of all the higher officials working in the management cadre, and also their spouse and dependents, with reference to the declarations given by them in the service records.

“In the event of finding any discrepancy, disproportionate wealth or otherwise, all suitable prosecutions and disciplinary proceedings are to be initiated by following the procedures contemplated under law within four months,” the judge added while noting that in public domain, widespread allegations of corruption were being spoken about State Transport Corporations – all of which have been running in financial loss.