WITH THE Economic Offences Wing (EOW) beginning probe into the issuance of building permissions, IMC watchers believe it might finally lead to the exit of Assistant Engineer Subhash Chauhan, son-in-law of State BJP organising secretary Kaptan Singh Solanki.
Chauhan has been in the eye of the storm for several controversies in the IMC, since he came on deputation from the MPSRTC over three years ago, including grant of clearance for the controversial structure at Navratanbag and a contempt of court conviction (his appeal is currently pending).
Given his record Building Permissions, department officials felt that the EOW investigation would eventually lead to Chauhan being nudged out or at least suspended. The IMC administration, however, has shown no inclination for any action against him even though the Assistant Engineer’s deputation tenure has been completed since two months.
The Corporation’s reluctance is also surprising as it violates a recent High Court order asking the Municipal Corporation to return all those officials on deputation with it to their parent departments.
The Assistant Engineer continues to occupy a sprawling bungalow (E-3, opposite Yeshwant Club) though the accommodation is reserved for an official of the rank of Chief Engineer. On paper the bungalow has been allotted to one “Engineer Khan”.
{{/usCountry}}The Assistant Engineer continues to occupy a sprawling bungalow (E-3, opposite Yeshwant Club) though the accommodation is reserved for an official of the rank of Chief Engineer. On paper the bungalow has been allotted to one “Engineer Khan”.
{{/usCountry}}Chauhan also clung to the official quarters allotted to him (MIG-109, Darpan Colony) by the MPSRTC while he was posted in Gwalior until he was served a notice by the Divisional Manager (CID), MPSRTC, Bhopal directing him to vacate the apartment.
“Chauhan was deputed to the IMC for three years on June 16, ’03 and took charge on July 2.
As per rules his services should be returned to the MPSRTC after the term expired. However, as the MPSRTC has been wound up this would result in Chauhan being laid off under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme. So he is using his connections to delay the return until such time that he can get his services merged in the IMC”, said a senior IMC General Administration Department (GAD) official.
“The EOW is only conducting investigations and no challan has been filed so far. If the Wing files an FIR against Chauhan he will be suspended”, declared Mayor Dr Uma Shashi Sharma when queried.
On the HC directive, she said “The High Court has not set any deadline for the return in its order. We are preparing a list of deputation officers and employees and once this is done they’ll be sent back en masse.”