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Created: 03 March 2015

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two civil engineers of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) have been dismissed from service after being convicted of criminal misconduct of demanding and obtaining bribe by the CBI Special Court, Thiruvananthapuram. Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu ordered dismissal from service of Shri R.Kennadi, Executive Engineer(Civil) on March 2,2015 while Shri R.V.Suresh Kumar, Assistant Engineer (Civil) was earlier dismissed by the Director General of CPWD following their conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act,1988.

The two engineers were convicted by the Special Judge in January, 2014 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and were sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.50,000 each on three counts. Both were immediately placed under suspension. Shri Suresh Kumar was dismissed by the DG, CPWD, the disciplinary authority in this case, in May, 2014.

Shri Kennadi was served show cause notices twice as required under the rules of procedure for imposing the major penalty of dismissal from service. He moved the Kerala High Court against his conviction by the CBI Special Judge and obtained bail in January, 2014. He represented against any disciplinary action till his appeal was decided upon.  After ascertaining the views of the Department of Personnel and Training and the Union Public service Commission and keeping in view the gravity of misconduct, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, as the Disciplinary Authority, ordered dismissal of Shri Kennadi from service.  It was clarified in the matter that the Disciplinary Authority can impose appropriate penalty as deemed fit since the Kerala High Court has not set aside the conviction of Shri Kennadi.