Centre seeks report, says will ensure justice to suespended IAS officer

The Centre on Thursday said the Uttar Pradesh government had suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal without giving her an opportunity and promised to look into the matter.

The Centre on Thursday said the Uttar Pradesh government had suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal without giving her an opportunity and promised to look into the matter.

Talking to the media after meeting representatives of the all-India IAS officers association, minister of state for personnel V Narayanasamy, said: “The officer has been suspended without giving an opportunity. We wanted a report from the Uttar Pradesh government about the suspension of Durga Nagpal. We are still awaiting a reply from the state government.”

The IAS association has demanded revocation of her suspension. “Unless I get the report, it would not be possible for me to react on the case. We won’t react to any kind of emotion,” the minister said.

According to service rules governing IAS officers, the state government has to send its report on the suspension of any officer to the Centre within 45 days.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, however, indicated that the Centre could not do much in such cases. “It is a matter concerning the state,” he said.

Narayanamsamy confirmed having received a memorandum from the IAS association. “We will ensure that rules and procedures are followed. The government of India always looks such issues in a dispassionate manner. There is no need to worry,” Narayanasamy said.

The minister told the delegation that no injustice would be done. “The department of personnel and training will definitely act,” he said.

Secretary of the association, Sanjay R Bhoos Reddy, said he expected that the assurance would be honoured. “I have been assured justice will be done,” Reddy told reporters.

The association denied that Nagpal, a 2010-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, had allegedly ordered the demolition of wall of a mosque without following due process.

The state government has held her responsible for the demolition.