UP to act against officers involved in wrongdoings: Akhilesh Yadav

Amid raging controversy over the suspension of IAS officer Durga Sakthi Nagpal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav defended the state government decision.

Lucknow: Amid raging controversy over the suspension of IAS officer Durga Sakthi Nagpal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday defended the state government decision saying it would take action against officers involved in "wrongdoings".

"Someone SMSed me last evening that my popularity has declined. You (media) tell me whether the government will do its work or not," Akhilesh said in a reply to a question during launch of welfare scheme here. "You know the reality and so does the government. The government took the action which it was supposed to take. It issued chargesheet to the officer. Let the process continue," he added. In a reply to another question, Akhilesh said, "You tell whether the government will do its work or not. The question is whether action will be taken against those who disturb the atmosphere of the state or not." On queries related to the LIU report, he said that several factors have been taken into consideration before the suspension. Nagpal, the 28-year-old SDM of GB Nagar, who led the crackdown on sand mining mafia in her district, was suspended on July 27 ostensibly for ordering the demolition of the wall allegedly without following the due process. As per the LIU report, which did not state name of any officer, SDM (Jewar) was present at the spot and not SDM (Sadar), the post held by Nagpal. Both Jewar and Sadar fall under GB Nagar. The District Magistrate, GB Nagar has already stated in his report to the state government that Nagpal had not got the wall of any religious place demolished. The report, which is in possession of PTI, said that on July 27 members of the muslim community were getting a new mosque constructed in Kadalpur village in Raghupura area of GB Nagar. "The SDM (Jewar) alongwith Circle officer and SHO, Raghupura team reached the village at about 1 pm and got the wall, which is of about 10 feet height and constructed from three sides, demolished", the LIU report said. "The administration is saying that the action has been taken as no permission has been sought for construction of the mosque", the report said. Jewar (GB Nagar) Bachhu Singh said that the said village does not lie in his area. "I dont know how the report mentioned presence of SDM, Jewar) at the spot," Singh said. The LIU had sent its report to the DIG, Intelligence and it was forwarded to DGP and Home department at about 5.10 pm on July 27 itself apprising them of the real situation in the village. On the same day, Nagpal was suspended by the Akhilesh Yadav government citing her lack of forsightedness in demolishing the wall of the religious place. "The villagers are holding a panchayat to decide their future course of action due to which police arrangement appears necessary in the village," the report added. Opposition parties have alleged that Nagpal was suspended following pressure from the sand mining mafia. PTI