Chennai, 22 February (H.S.): The Madras High Court has ordered the reinstatement of K. Sakthivel, a disabled police officer, with 50% back wages, criticizing the police department for failing to provide him with an alternative role despite legal obligations.
A division bench comprising Justices R. Subramanian and G. Arul Murugan dismissed the appeals filed by the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) against a single judge's order in favor of Sakthivel.
Sakthivel, recruited in 2005 as a syce, suffered an illness in 2009 and was placed on lighter duty in 2010. However, he was later asked to return to his original duty, leading to his medical leave and subsequent charge memo for unauthorized absence.
The court observed that the police department failed to discharge its duties under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The bench directed the authorities to appoint Sakthivel as an office assistant, helper, or in any other alternative role with the same pay and benefits within four weeks, along with paying him 50% back wages from 2013 to 2023 and full wages from 2023 onwards.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
