Buta Singh takes notice of Punjab IGPs suspension

Chandigarh, Mar 8 (UNI) The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has taken suo motto notice of the suspension of Rajinder Singh, an IG ranking SC officer, by the Punjab Government.

" We will issue a notice and summon the Punjab Chief Secretary and the DGP in the suspension case to know the state governments stand", Commission Chairman Buta Singh said here today.

Addressing a media conference, Mr Buta Singh contended that the suspension of the officer was within the perview of the Commission. In this context he pointed out that the suspended officer belonged to the SC category.

The Punjab Government had not informed the Union Government prior to issuing the suspension orders, which was against the rules as the IG was an IPS ranking officer.

Mr Rajinder Singh was suspended on Wednesday last on the bases of an inquiry conducted into the functioning of a private engineering college. The management of the college had in a complaint to the state government alleged that the IG was exerting influence as his brother was heading one of the two groups running the affairs of the institution.

However Rajinder Singh claimed that he had been targeted after he filed a case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the government regarding his promotion as ADGP alongwith four of his batch mates.

While pointing to the court case filed by the IG, Mr Buta Singh said that the Commission would like to know from the government the motive behind the suspension.

Asked whether it was a case of vendetta, Mr Singh quipped,"I cannot comment on this".

UNI HS JS1859