Relief for NTPC chief as HC’s jail order stayed

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday saved NTPC chairman and CMD Gurudeep Singh from being sent to jail by staying a Telangana high court order sentencing him to two months’ imprisonment after convicting him in a contempt of court case for allegedly violating its directions relating to recruitment of labourers.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said NTPC chairman would have no inkling about the recruitment of Class-IV employees in a power plant at Ramagundam in Telangana as such recruitments are the responsibility of zonal HR department concerned.
However, he said despite not being in the know of the recruitment process and the alleged violation of the HC direction, Singh had tendered unconditional apology to the HC, which brushed aside the same and sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment on December 30.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud stayed the HC order, issued notice to the petitioners who had filed contempt proceedings before the HC and sought their response to Singh’s appeal within three weeks.
Singh in his petition said that the recruitment process was initiated and the land oustees were employed as 'junior mazdoors' at the NTPC unit. However, later some more persons sought similar employment for which NTPC had issued a notification.