Social activist files PIL, challenges suspension of UP IAS officer

A social activist filed a public interest litigation (PIL) plea before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday, questioning the suspension of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and Greater NOIDA Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Durga Shakti Nagpal.

The petition was filed by social activist Nutan Thakur and is likely to come up for hearing on August 1.

Through her petition, Thakur requested the court to direct the Department of Personnel and Training to summon the file related to the government order, and cancel the suspension if it is found illegal and improper.

According to Thakur's counsel Ashok Pandey, the petition also requested the court to direct the Centre to ask the state governments against any harassment of the officers who have initiated action for checking illegal construction of religious places, and illegal mining.

In the capacity of Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar district, Nagpal, a 2009 batch officer of Punjab cadre, had initiated action against the sand mafia.

She was suspended ostensibly for ordering demolition of wall of a mosque without following the legal process.