Cuttack, Nov. 16: The Central Administrative Tribunal today directed the state government not to take any further action against former Kendrapada police superintendent Satish Gajbhiye.

The 2002-batch IPS officer was suspended in August for police excesses on protesters during a massive demonstration in Kendrapada and also for violating human rights.

The Cuttack bench of the tribunal passed the interim order during the hearing of a petition filed by Gajbhiye challenging the legality of the order that had placed him under suspension.

His counsel Manoj Mishra said the suspension order violated the All India Services (Discipline and Appeals) Rules, as the government did not record the necessity of placing Gajbhiye under suspension.

He said the suspension order had, according to the rules, became null and void as the state government had neither submitted a charge sheet in the case nor got it confirmed by the Centre within the required 45 days after suspension.

Gajbhiye has been in the dock over alleged assault on protesters demanding action against self-styled spiritual leader Santish Raula alias Sarathi on August 7.

Initially, he was shunted from Kendrapara district and made an officer-without-duty at the state police headquarters in Cuttack.