IAS association wants centre to intervene in UP officer's suspension

Members of the All India IAS Association Thursday met Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy and demanded the centre's intervention to revoke the suspension of Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal.

The association submitted a representation demanding the amendment of rules to clearly list a prior course of action for suspension of an IAS officer.

Narayanasamy said the union government was waiting for a report from the Uttar Pradesh government over the suspension.

"We will look into the matter as soon the reply comes. We will ensure that all rules are followed and the government looks into issues in a dispassionate manner. No need to worry," Narayanasamy told reporters here.

He said the association had informed him that the suspension was unlawful, as the officer was not given any advance notice about the suspension.

Members of the association said they would ensure that Nagpal gets justice.

"As per the existing law, the centre can intervene in the matter on the basis of new facts being brought to the government, or if revision is filed by the officer concerned. In that case, the decision of the centre will be final," association secretary Sanjay R. Bhoos Reddy said, adding that if Nagpal got no relief, the association would approach the court.

Nagpal, sub-divisional magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida), was suspended Sunday by the state government for allegedly illegally ordering demolition of a wall of an under-construction mosque.

While suspending Nagpal, the state government accused her of acting hastily and triggering a possible communal flashpoint.

Nagpal had earlier cracked down on the sand mining mafia in the area.

She has now been attached to the revenue board.