Reasons for suspension to be communicated

12. Reasons for suspension to be communicated xiv . 12.1 A government servant placed under suspension has a right of appeal under Rule 23(i). This would imply that he/she should generally know the reasons leading to his/her suspension. In cases when a Government servant is suspended because a disciplinary case is pending or a case against him in respect of any criminal offence is under investigation, inquiry or trial, the order of suspension would itself mention the reasons and the Government servant would be aware of the reasons leading to his suspension. 12.2 Where a Government Servant is placed under suspension on the ground of “contemplated” disciplinary proceedings, the existing instructions provide that every effort would be made to finalise the charges within three months of the date of suspension. If these instructions are strictly adhered to, a Government servant who is placed under suspension would become aware of the reasons for his suspension without much loss of time. In some cases where it may not be possible for some reason or the other to issue the charge sheet within three months, reasons for suspension should be communicated to the Government servant concerned immediately on the expiry of the aforesaid time-limit prescribed for the issue of charge sheet, so that he may be in position to effectively exercise the right of appeal available to him under Rule 23(1) if he/she so desires. Where the reasons for suspension are communicated on the expiry of a time-limit prescribed for the issue of a charge sheet, the time limit of 45 days for submission of appeal should be counted from the date on which the reasons for suspension are communicated. 12.3 The above procedure will not, however, apply to cases where a Government servant is placed under suspension on the ground that he has engaged himself in activities prejudicial to the interest of the security of the State.