PIL challenges suspension of UP's woman IAS officer

LUCKNOW: The suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal was challenged in the Allahabad High Court through a public interest litigation (PIL) plea.

The petition, filed by social activist Nutan Thakur at the Lucknow bench of the court, 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.