Nasirnagar Demolition Case: Suspended Employees Summoned

The investigation into the Nasirnagar demolition case in Surat has intensified ahead of the Gujarat High Court hearing on September 29, with the government-appointed high-level committee summoning officials and suspended employees to Gandhinagar.

The committee has called members of the municipal inquiry panel, five suspended employees and officials from the City Survey department for questioning on Monday. The inquiry is examining the decision to demolish the Nasirnagar settlement, land subdivision, permissions and the role of various municipal officials and departments.

The Nasirnagar demolition dispute, which attracted widespread attention across Gujarat, reached the Gujarat High Court after strong opposition to the demolition in the Ved Darwaja area of Surat. Questions were raised over whether proper procedures were followed during the demolition and on what documents and permissions the municipal authorities relied upon while carrying out the action.

Following the High Court proceedings and criticism of the municipal administration, the government stepped up its investigation to establish the role and responsibility of officials connected with the case. The high-level committee headed by Principal Secretary M. Thennarasan was subsequently formed to conduct a broader inquiry into the matter.