IAS chargesheeted by Lokayukta, suspension expected

Bhopal, Jan 24 (UNI) A chargesheet was today filed against IAS officer Vinod Semwal by the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Police before a special court in Ratlam.

Official sources said rules provided for suspension of public servants on presenting of chargesheet against him by the Lokayukta.

The move follows a recent Supreme Court judgement saying that no prior sanction of the Government was required to proceed against officers charged with corruption.

Mr Semwal, who is posted as the Inspector General at present, had allegedly allotted 30,000 square feet 'Nazool' land to one Vinod Bhai and unduly benefitting him in his capacity as the Ratlam Collector in 1993.

A case was registered by Lokayukta Police under Mr Semwal and others in 2001 under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

As the complaint was found true, permission was sought from legal and legislative affairs department for prosecuting him.

In a letter in 2005, the government had said that delay in such matters was natural.

UNI