UP CM defends decision to suspend IAS officer, Association takes battle to Centre

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today stoutly defended the suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, saying her action to demolish the wall of a mosque had "vitiated" communal harmony.

Facing intense criticism over the suspension of the 28-year-old officer by the UP government on July 27, an unyielding Akhilesh was also at pains to explain there was no connection between sand mining and government's action against her. He termed the action as "valid".

The assertion by the Samajwadi Party leader came even as a delegation of All India IAS officers association stepped in and took the battle to the Centre for revoking the suspension of the officer. The delegation met Union Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy in Delhi.

Noting that Nagpal has been suspended without being given an opportunity, Narayanasamy said the Centre was still awaiting a report from the state government informing it of the officer's suspension.

Amid growing demands for Nagpal's reinstatement, the Minister gave an assurance that justice would be done to the officer, who had clamped down on the sand mining mafia thriving in Gautam Budh Nagar area of Uttar Pradesh,

Akhilesh said officers posted in various departments have to act responsibly. "...the action (against Nagpal) was valid. Whatever action the government has taken is right." he said, blaming the officer for not consulting her seniors.

"The issue was not mining...even we are against illegal mining. The demolition of the wall of a mosque had vitiated the harmony. If an officer takes such an action, government is bound to take action," Akhilesh told reporters in Lucknow after a meeting of the state Cabinet.

In reply to questions over opposition's allegations that Nagpal was suspended for preventing illegal mining, he said such charges are often levelled against the party which is in power.

"You look into the record of past two-three months, we ourselves do not want anything wrong to happen to any officer," he said.

When asked why the UP IAS Association was defending Nagpal if she was guilty of demolishing the mosque wall without consulting others, Akhilesh said his government was open to listening to the view of others.

"It is our government which encouraged the IAS association which had become defunct in the recent past," he said.