The Union Home Ministry has suspended Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Udit Prakash Rai, accused of demolishing a monument in the national capital to build a government house, with immediate effect. At the same time, the Ministry said in another order that the suspension of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Basant Rath, who was posted in various posts in Jammu and Kashmir, has been extended for another six months.
According to the order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, departmental action is being considered against Rai. It said that during the period of suspension, the headquarters of Rai, an officer of 2007 AGMUT cadre, would remain at Mizoram and he would not leave the headquarters without the prior permission of the competent authority.
In August last year, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena had recommended action against Rai for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 50 lakh to give ‘undue advantage’ to an executive engineer in two corruption cases.
He is accused of having constructed an official residence by demolishing a 15th-century monument when he was posted as the chief executive officer of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
Earlier this year, Rai was served a notice by the Vigilance Department of the Delhi government for demolishing a ‘mahal’ to build an official residence.
At the same time, Rath, an IPS officer of the year 2000 batch, was suspended in July 2020 for showing disobedience to his superiors despite a court order. He is an officer of AGMUT cadre.
According to another order issued by the ministry, the chariots will remain suspended for an additional period of 180 days from July 31, 2023.
The ministry, in its order dated July 28, said, “The President, after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the recommendations of the Central Review Committee, has come to the conclusion that Mr. Will remain suspended till .2024. This order became available on Monday.
