Supreme Court interrogates Bihar government over reappointment of officer accused of corruption

An officer of a government hospital in Bihar, who was arrested on charges of demanding a bribe, has been sent back to the same hospital and the same post after his suspension was revoked. The Supreme Court has reacted strongly to this matter and sought clarification from the Bihar government. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Supreme Court described this decision as a "concerning aspect."

Vishwajit Singh, serving as the administrator of the said hospital in Samastipur, was accused of demanding a bribe of ₹4,000 to pay a complainant's outstanding salary of ₹36,421. Singh was arrested in this case and spent 15 days in judicial custody in connection with the corruption case. Taking note of the matter, a bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manmohan of the Supreme Court stated that it must be examined how an officer who has been arrested and has remained in judicial custody can be reappointed to the same hospital and the same post. The court directed the Bihar government to take appropriate action as per the law.

The Supreme Court proceedings were in reference to reinstating the bail granted to Vishwajit Singh, the administrator of the said hospital in Samastipur. Earlier, the Patna High Court had ordered the cancellation of the bail granted to Singh. An FIR was registered against Singh under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Sessions Court had granted him bail, but the High Court overturned this decision on the application of the complainant and ordered him to be taken back into custody.

The Supreme Court noted that the High Court had interfered in the bail order almost a year after Singh was released. The High Court had objected to the observation of the Sessions Court that the bribe amount was very low. Agreeing with the High Court, the Supreme Court said that the amount of the bribe is not a significant consideration in the decision to grant bail, but relief granted by the Sessions Court cannot be cancelled merely on this ground. The court further clarified that generally in such cases, bail should be granted keeping in view the maximum punishment that could be awarded by the trial court if the accused is convicted, unless the accused has a prior criminal history or the case is extremely serious.

The court reinstated Singh's original bail order and clarified that the question of bail should be decided based on established judicial principles, not on the amount of the bribe. Subsequently, the court raised questions regarding the state government's stance on the officer's service status. According to the law, if a public servant remains in judicial custody for more than 48 hours, they are deemed to be suspended without a separate order. The state counsel informed the court that Singh was suspended after his arrest, but the order of that suspension was later revoked.

However, what was most surprising for the Supreme Court was that the state government has not only called him back to duty but has also deployed him again in the same hospital and the same post. The court termed this matter "shocking" and stated that the state should investigate this matter at the earliest. Thus, while the Supreme Court found the bail process appropriate, it raised serious questions on the administrative decision to place an accused of corruption back in the same position.

Vishwajit Singh was working as an administrative officer in the government said hospital in Samastipur. Legal proceedings were initiated against him on charges of taking bribes, and the case is currently under judicial process.