The Jammu and Kashmir administration has reinstated Mir Ali, the former In-Charge Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Thathri, Doda, more than two years after he was suspended, a day before his retirement. The decision to reinstate him comes after a detailed inquiry revealed that the complaint against him was baseless, with the original complainant even denying having lodged it.
The case dates back to January 2019, when the Anti-Corruption Bureau forwarded a complaint against Mir Ali to the Director of School Education, Jammu, prompting an official inquiry. Following multiple investigations, including a departmental probe and a high-level committee review, Mir Ali was suspended on March 30, 2022, just a day before his scheduled retirement.
The initial inquiry, conducted by the Departmental Vigilance Officer from Bhaderwah, recommended action against Mir Ali, which led to his suspension under Government Order No. 254-Edu of 2022. However, the case took a turn when the complainant, Mohammad Tayoub, later refused to acknowledge having filed any complaint, effectively rendering the allegations against Mir Ali anonymous and questionable.
Subsequent investigations, including a probe by a committee comprising senior officials, concluded that no allegations against the retired officer could be substantiated. The Suspension Review Committee, which met on May 31, 2024, discussed the case in detail and determined that the charges lacked evidence. The committee, therefore, recommended reinstating Mir Ali retrospectively from the date of his suspension, treating the suspension period as duty time.
In its final decision, the government acknowledged that Mir Ali had retired on March 31, 2022, and should not be deprived of his due retirement benefits. The order issued by Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary, School Education Department, officially reinstated the now-retired ZEO, marking the closure of a prolonged case marred by inconclusive allegations.
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Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times
