CHIEF SECRETARY ANURAG RASTOGI DIRECTS ACCUSED OFFICIALS RELEASED ON BAIL NOT TO BE POSTED AT THE SAME POST OR POLICE STATION; TRANSFERS TO ENSURE FAIR TRIALS AND PREVENT WITNESS INTIMIDATION

Face2News/Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi has directed that government officials caught red-handed in vigilance trap or raid cases must not be posted at the same post or same station where the cases against them are pending, following their release on bail.

In an order issued here today through the Chief Secretary’s Office, Vigilance Department, the state government said the continued posting of such officials at the same station could create the possibility of influencing or intimidating complainants and prosecution witnesses, potentially affecting the fair and impartial conduct of judicial proceedings.

Under the new directions, officials arrested in trap or raid cases and subsequently released on bail must be transferred to a station outside the concerned jurisdiction, preferably beyond adjoining boundary districts, to prevent undue influence on complainants or witnesses.

For officials in a district cadre, the order specifies that they should be transferred to another station within the same district.

The directions also apply to officials who are currently in judicial custody and may be released on bail in the future. The government has directed all administrative secretaries, department heads, the Director General of Police, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, heads of boards and corporations, and registrars of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and state universities to ensure strict compliance.

The order warns that any laxity in implementing the directions will invite action against the officials responsible.