Kerala High Court: In a writ petition challenging the grant of an Integrity Certificate to the Investigating Officer (IO) for promotion to the Indian Police Service (IPS), despite multiple criminal prosecutions pending against him, CS Dias, J. found no grounds or material to suggest that the decision was influenced by malice or bad faith. The Home Secretary, in its discretion, after thoroughly considering all relevant factors, decided to grant the Integrity Certificate. The Court determined that there was no illegality or arbitrariness in the order that would warrant interference under Article of the . Consequently, the writ petition was dismissed.
Background:
The case involves the petitioner challenging the issuance of an Integrity Certificate to the IO, who is under consideration for being conferred the Indian Police Service (IPS) despite multiple criminal prosecutions pending against him. The IO, currently holding the post of Superintendent of Police in the State Police (Non-IPS cadre), is accused of misconduct, including making derogatory remarks against the petitioner and her deceased daughters.
The backdrop of the case is tragic, as the petitioner’s two minor daughters were allegedly raped and killed in Walayar in 2017. Though an initial investigation was flawed, the case was brought before the Court, which ordered a re-trial. The CBI took over the investigation during the re-trial but conducted a flawed investigation, leading to the Trial Court ordering further investigation. The investigation eventually led to the conclusion of homicide, and the CBI is now pursuing the case from the angle of murder.
Given the IO’s previous involvement in the investigation and his alleged misconduct, the petitioner is challenging the decision to grant him an Integrity Certificate for IPS conferment. The Integrity Certificate, typically issued by the State, is an essential part of the process for an officer to be considered for the IPS cadre.
Analysis and Decision
The Court examined the Police Service (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1955, along with the norms issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which guide the issuance of Integrity Certificates for officers being considered for promotion to the Indian Police Service (IPS). According to the regulations, if any departmental or criminal proceedings are pending against an officer, or if there is anything adverse regarding the officer’s suitability, the officer’s inclusion in the promotion list will be provisional. However, the Court clarified that proceedings are only considered pending if a charge sheet has been issued or filed in court.
In this case, the Court noted that no charge sheet was pending against the IO under consideration for the Integrity Certificate. Furthermore, the Home Secretary had raised doubts about the reliability of the voice clip provided by the petitioner and concluded that the petitioner had failed to present substantial evidence to revoke the Integrity Certificate. As such, the Home Secretary found that the IO was entitled to the Integrity Certificate.
Thus, the Court found no grounds or material to suggest that the decision to issue the Integrity Certificate to the IO was influenced by malice or bad faith. The Home Secretary, in its discretion, after thoroughly considering the matter, decided to grant the Integrity Certificate. The Court found no illegality or arbitrariness in the order that would warrant interference under Article of the .
Consequently, the writ petition was dismissed as meritless.
[X v. Union of India, WP(C) No. 31104 of 2024, decided on 24-12-2024]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For Petitioner: P.V. Jeevesh , C.K.Radhakrishnan (Chalil) , C.R.Neelakandan Namboodiri, K. Ramakumar
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