High court orders reinstatement of LIC employee

Chennai: The Madras high court has quashed the dismissal of a Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) officer, who sought to contest in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections without obtaining permission from the authorities. He had, however, made efforts later to withdraw the nomination after the management denied him permission. Debating whether it was the employee’s political right or misconduct on his part, the Madras high court held that it was “only a technical violation, and not a substantive misconduct.” Justice K Chandru, passing the order on a writ petition filed by the development officer K Rayar, also directed the LIC to reinstate him in service within eight weeks. Rayar, who had conducted business for more than Rs 100 crore as development officer, wrote to the LIC management in March 2004 seeking permission to contest Lok Sabha elections from Tindivanam constituency. By the time the management’s disapproval was communicated to him, Rayar had already filed his nominations, and he contended that it was his personal affair. Chargesheeting him for misconduct, the Corporation said Regulation 24(4) of the LIC Staff Regulations permitted an employee to contest only in a local body polls. He was removed from service in April 2005. While dismissing him, the authorities said though they wanted to adopt a lenient attitude towards Rayar, his past record revealed that he was a permanent menace to the peace and order of the office. Justice K Chandru, described the remarks as “unwarranted”.

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