JAIPUR: Mayor Somya Gurjar of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC), Greater, and three BJP councillors, Paras Jain, Ajay Chauhan and Shankar, have been suspended by the directorate of local bodies (DLB) on Sunday evening.
The decision follows a report submitted on allegations related to attacking JMC-G commissioner Yagya Mitra Singh Deo on Friday.
According to the DLB order, the department’s preliminary investigation found that the councillors – in the presence and in agreement with mayor Somya Gurjar – fought and verbally abused the commissioner after he was called into the mayor’s chamber on Friday.
The department has ordered a judicial inquiry against all the four.
Since they hold powerful positions, there are chances that they could influence the investigation, and, hence, have been suspended.
Both sides were asked to make their representations regarding the incident.
While the commissioner and other officials made their submissions, the councillors had asked for some extension on Saturday.
They were given a day, but on Sunday, the DLB completed the report without their versions and refused to further extend time.
Replying to the suspension order, Somya Gurjar issued a statement late night saying that all the allegations made by the commissioner are purely fictitious and made to fulfill his political ambitions.
“We asked for a time extension to file our replies, but immediate action was taken by only listening to the complainant.
It seems there is some sort of administrative or political pressure being made on the investigator.
While following the principles of natural justice, we must get enough time to send our replies regarding the issue,” said the statement issued by the mayor.
Gurjar is mayor and councillor from Ward 87, Paras Jain from 72, Ajay Chauhan 39, and Shankar from Ward 103.
They have all been suspended from their posts.
Commissioner Yagya Mitra Singh had alleged that he was attacked by BJP councillors inside the mayor’s office when he went to discuss the issue of paying dues to the garbage collecting company which was on strike.
He alleged that he was pressured by 10 BJP councillors inside the mayor’s office to give an order for alternative arrangements.
The meeting was held in the inner room of the mayor’s office on her invitation.
Since the Rajasthan High Court had already given an order not to take any action against the garbage company for eight weeks, the commissioner suggested that the mayor and councillors convince the company workers by paying them an amount for fuel.
Singh said that the councillors started verbally abusing him and allegedly manhandled him.