KPWD Suspends Five Officials Who Switched Off CCTV, Celebrated Birthday Party On High Court Premises

The Karnataka Public Works Department has ordered the suspension of five of its officials on charges of celebrating a birthday party at the special buildings division of PWD which is inside the Karnataka High Court premises, by turning off the CCTV cameras.

The suspended officials include Assistant First Class G H Chikkegowda, Assistant Engineers Lavanya, Naveen and Amin S Annadinni and Meena AT. They have been ordered to be suspended for violating Rule 3(1) (i to iv) of the Karnataka State Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, vide order dated April 5.

The party was held to celebrate the birthday of Meena on February 22, and the incident came to light following a complaint lodged on March 10. Following which a report was submitted by the Chief Engineer of the Shivamogga Communications and Building Department, who conducted an inquiry into the complaint.

In its report, it was mentioned that staff who were present and celebrating had turned off the CCTV cameras on that occasion, which is a breach of security and a dereliction of duty.

Further, it was said that it is only legally permitted to celebrate the anniversaries and programs of prominent and distinguished individuals notified by the government in government offices and premises. Despite the standing instruction from the department to ensure that the CCTV cameras are continuously operational, they violated it.

Accordingly, the department ordered the suspension of its officials pending a departmental inquiry.

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