In an abrupt turn in Nasirnagar demolition controversy, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has suspended five of its engineering officials days after nearly 100 houses in the slum settlement were demolished, despite earlier claiming before the Gujarat High Court that it had not carried out the demolition.
The disciplinary action follows the High Court's stern criticism of the demolition and police action with regard to it.
Five Officials Suspended
The suspended officials are:
- Executive Engineer Sujalkumar Dharamshibhai Prajapati.
- Executive Engineer Jayang Rajnikant Jivanramjiwala.
- Deputy Engineer Arpan Mansukhlal Parmar.
- Assistant Engineer Monik Babubhai Gadhiya.
- Junior Engineer Nareshkumar Binalbhai Galchar.
Those suspensions, representatives of Surat Municipal Corporation said, are intended to ensure that the departmental inquiry is conducted in a fair, neutral and unbiased manner.
SMC's Position Under Scrutiny
The suspensions are a radical change in the city’s position in that regard.
Previously, Surat Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan had informed the Gujarat High Court that the demolition had not been carried out by the municipal corporation.
But lawyers for the Gujarat government and the municipal commissioner admitted before the court that the events at Nasirnagar “should never have happened.”
The state also said to the court that a specialised team was set up to investigate the incident.
High Court Questions Police Presence
The Gujarat High Court raised serious concerns about the operation, especially why a large police force had been deployed if officials were simply performing a land demarcation exercise.
The bench found that such extensive security arrangements seemed inconsistent with the administration's explanation.
The court also expressed disapproval of the municipal commissioner's response to the matter as, despite the serious nature of the allegations, almost a month had gone by without any meaningful action.
Court Criticises Police Inaction
The High Court said criminal acts had taken place “right under the nose” of the police who remained silent spectators throughout the operation.
The bench was not satisfied with the commissioner's response and questioned the administration’s overall conduct during the demolition drive.
Investigation Underway
The Gujarat government claimed that police were informed in advance about and even had the authority to keep law and order in the area during what officials called a demarcation exercise.
A departmental inquiry is in place to determine responsibility for the demolition and suspensions will remain until the investigation is complete.
The Nasirnagar demolition has now become a major legal and administrative problem that the High Court is watching closely as well as concerned with municipal authorities and law enforcement authorities.
