JUDGMENT

1. The matter has been taken up for hearing on-line because of COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions.

2. The petitioner, at the relevant point of time, was working as the District Sub-Registrar, Samastipur. A complaint was made on 15.02.2006 before the Additional Director General, Cabinet (Vigilance), State of Bihar, against him and an Upper Division Clerk posted at the Registration Office, Samastipur, making an allegation of demand of bribe by the aforesaid two persons in the matter of registration of a sale-deed in respect of a piece of land. Allegedly, certain part transaction had already taken place between them and the complainant. Based on the said complaint, a trap was organized by the Vigilance Investigation Bureau leading to the petitioner's arrest, allegedly while accepting bribe of a sum of Rs. 1500. A criminal case was instituted in which charge-sheet has been submitted.

3. The petitioner was placed under suspension as he was taken into custody. Subsequently, he was granted bail by this Court in the criminal case, whereafter his joining in the department was accepted. However, he was again put under suspension and a departmental proceeding was initiated against him in re