- An Ombudsman may be removed from office on the ground of gross misconduct during his term of office, after following due procedure specified as under, namely:-(a)The Executive Council of Insurers shall draw up articles of charge or charges, if any, on the Ombudsman after giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard;(b)The Executive Council of Insurers shall, as and when deemed necessary, appoint such person or persons to inquire into the allegations levelled against the Insurance Ombudsman;(c)Upon conclusion of the inquiry, the Executive Council of Insurers or the person nominated by it shall forward the inquiry report to the concerned Ombudsman who shall submit his comments or submissions within a specified time;(d)Upon receipt of the comments or submissions or after the expiry of the stipulated period, the Chairperson of the Executive Council of Insurers shall forward the inquiry report, the submissions of the concerned Insurance Ombudsman along with the recommendations of the Executive Council of Insurers to the IRDAI;(e)The IRDAI shall decide upon the action to be taken, if any, against the concerned Insurance Ombudsman and shall communicate such decision to the Executive Council of Insurers who shall implement the decision of the IRDAI.(f)The IRDAI may, wherever it considers necessary, initiate an inquiry suo moto against any Insurance Ombudsman and in such case, it shall request the Executive Council of Insurers to initiate the proceedings and the Executive Council of Insurers shall proceed with the inquiry in accordance with the procedure laid down in this rule.
