Guj IAS officer suspended over corruption allegations

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered suspension of IAS officer V J Rajput over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as the municipal commissioner of Junagadh.

Rajput was commissioner of Junagadh Corporation from September 2016 to April 2018.

He had not been given any posting after he was removed from the post in April this year.

"Showing zero tolerance towards officers indulging in corrupt practises, the CM has decided to suspend then municipal commissioner of Junagadh and 2009 batch promotee IAS officer V J Rajput with immediate effect," said an official release.

Rupani also ordered a departmental inquiry against Rajput and registration of an FIR if needed, it said.

Rajput is accused of indulging in corrupt practises in awarding work for beautification of Narsinh Mehta lake, purchase of dustbins and tree plantation.

He is also accused of creating forged bills, selling vehicles of the civic body which were in good condition at a low price and corruption in the cattle-impounding department, the release said.

The suspension came after some elected members of the BJP-ruled Junagadh Municipal Corporation had made a detailed representation to the Urban Development Department and to Rupani over Rajput's alleged corrupt practises.

The representation was made when BJP corporator Nilesh Dhulesia was chairman of the standing committee of the municipal corporation.

After receiving complaints, the government appointed retired IAS officer S M F Bukhari to conduct a probe, said Dhulesia.