Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 10: After an investigation revealed that there were Building Plan and Master Plan violations during his time with the erstwhile Lakes & Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) which has now been rechristened as Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), the J&K Government today ordered the demotion of a retired officer from the date he was appointed as in-charge Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), (LCMA).
The officer, who has now retired, as per the inquiry report, has been found to be involved in the violations, prompting the Home Department to take necessary action in this regard.
The order issued by the Home Department stated that Shah Sikander, was arrested on 14-03-2017 and remained in Police custody for more than 48 hours and was placed under suspension from the date of his arrest in the case FIR 53/2015.
As per details, under the Memorandum bearing No Home/PB-1/144/2015/2549 dated 21.06.2017, the Article of Charges was served upon Shah Sikander, the then I/c DySP (now retired), for submitting a written statement of defence within 21 days
The charges include: “During the posting of Shah Sikander Khan as Enforcement Office in LAWDA from 03.02.2014 to 01.05.2015, various illegal constructions have been raised without permission in violation of the Master Plan, permissions issued and the orders of the High Court.”
In respect of the acts of omission/commission by Shah Sikander Khan as the then Enforcement Officer LAWDA, case FIR No. 4812015 PIS VOK, case FIR No. 5212015 PIS VOK, and case FIR No. 5312015 PIS VOK were registered.
As per details, in these cases, there are allegations of specific instances of wilful abuse of official duties thereby allowing the raising of illegal constructions while the investigations are underway in case FIR No. 48/2015, the investigation of case FIR No. 5212015 and 53/2015 stand closed as proved.
The charges also state that there have also been allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income and having indulged in corrupt practices during his posting as Enforcement Officer in LA WDA, in which connection a case FIR No. 5412015 PIS VOK has also been registered.
The Home Department said that vide communication dated 25.09.2017, the delinquent officer submitted his response in which he refuted all the charges and the response submitted by Shah Sikander, was upon examination, found unsatisfactory and accordingly, it was decided that the charges were required to be inquired thoroughly.
Following that, an inquiry officer was appointed to inquire into the charges served upon the officer and the inquiry officer submitted his report to Home Department
In the report, details state, the inquiry officer established that there was a violation of Building permission norms and instances of illegal construction around Dal lake during the posting of Shah Sikander, which is specifically the charge against him.
The inquiry report was submitted by the Inquiry Officer after having been examined and was placed before the Competent Authority for consideration. The Competent Authority decided to impose the penalty of “Reduction in rank” for violating J&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971.
“Accordingly, the Competent Authority being satisfied with the inquiry conducted by the Inquiry Officer and the procedure followed in this case decided imposing a Penalty of “Reduction in rank”.
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