The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday declined to interfere with a single judge order directing the state and central governments to take appropriate action on a representation submitted by the Commercial Taxes Department Employees Association. The representation contained multiple allegations against Ahmad Babu, the Chief Commissioner of State Taxes.
High Court Modifies Observation
However, the division bench set aside one observation made by the single judge, who had remarked that "nothing seems to be right in the departments where Ahmad Babu worked." The bench, headed by Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice N. Jayasurya, modified the order by deleting this portion.
Background of the Case
Ahmad Babu challenged the single judge order through an appeal. His counsel argued that the high court had impleaded him suo moto without providing an opportunity to file a counter affidavit. The counsel contended that the order would adversely affect the petitioner and sought directions to stay the orders and remand the petition back to the single judge for a hearing.
The division bench declined to interfere with the single judge order and directed the Union and state governments to decide on the representation given by the employees' association.
Allegations Against Ahmad Babu
The AP Government Employees Association, through its general secretary M. Ramesh Kumar, had moved the high court challenging the inaction of the state and union governments on the representation seeking action against Ahmad Babu. The association alleged that Babu committed various irregularities in tax collections and harassed employees by denying promotions.
The single judge had taken a serious view of the matter and directed both governments to consider the representation and take necessary action after giving an audience to Ahmad Babu.
