Suspension of IAS Officer Mohammed Mohsin Who Checked PM Modi's Helicopter Put on Hold by Administrative Tribunal
The officer is accused of violating the set norms which prohibit poll officers from inspecting the vehicle of a SPG protectee.
New Delhi, April 25: The Central Administrative Tribunal on Thursday put on hold the suspension of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Mohammed Mohsin. The 1996-cadre IAS was sacked by the Election Commission after he checked the helicopter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Odisha's Sambalpur on April 16.
The Commission had suspended Mohsin after charging him of "insubordination and dereliction of duty". He is accused of violating the set norms which prohibit poll officers from inspecting the vehicle of a Special Protection Group (SPG) protectee. What EC Said on Poll Observer's Suspension?
"It has been laid down that SPG protectees are exempted from checking. He should have known the instruction being an observer. The reason for the suspension is a dereliction of duty," an EC official had told reporters.
"Taking cognizance of the matter and based on available facts, the observer was placed under suspension and removed from the observer duty," he had further added.
The Opposition had raised hue and cry over the officer's termination, claiming that there is no rule which bars an officer on poll duty from inspecting the chopper or car of an office-bearer, including the Prime Minister.
The Tribunal, which has stayed the officer's suspension, had fixed June 3 as the next date for hearing the case. The bench would taken into consideration the law being cited by the Commission, along with the arguments being put forth by the defence counsel, before announcing its decision.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 25, 2019 07:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).