Representative image of suspension.
Credit: iStock Photo
Mumbai: Taking medical leave under the pretext of illness to enjoy a foreign trip has proven very costly for Nashik’s Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries, P D Jagtap.
Misleading his seniors and going abroad while the country was in a state of war preparedness led to his immediate suspension.
Taking a serious view, State Fisheries and Port Development Minister Nitesh Rane, who had earlier warned officials and employees in the department of strict action in case of negligence, acted strongly.
In light of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, all leaves for department officers and employees have been cancelled.
However, Jagtap, who was at the Igatpuri court for official work, claimed to have felt dizzy due to low sugar levels and subsequently stated he had to visit a hospital.
"He submitted a half-day casual leave application at the Nashik regional office, citing ill health. In reality, it was found that Jagtap had gone on a foreign trip. This incident revealed that Jagtap disobeyed his superiors' orders, was negligent in his duties, was absent from his responsibilities, and misled his seniors," officials said.
Taking all these serious matters into consideration, Rane took strict action and ordered the immediate suspension of the officer.
The suspension order specifies that while suspended, Jagtap cannot leave headquarters without written permission from the Regional Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries, Nagpur. His designated headquarters during the suspension will be Chandrapur.
Previously, Jagtap had been investigated twice by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Therefore, Minister Rane has also ordered an internal departmental inquiry, and if found guilty in the investigation, Jagtap may face dismissal from service.