Surat, July 1: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has suspended five civil engineering officials with immediate effect. This action follows a departmental inquiry into the controversial demolition of over 100 homes in Nasirnagar, as the Gujarat High Court conducts a thorough investigation into the matter.
The decision came after a special investigation committee was formed by the municipal corporation, prompted by residents challenging the demolitions in the High Court.
According to the SMC’s public relations department, the suspensions aim to ensure that the departmental inquiry is conducted in a “fair, neutral, and transparent” manner.
The suspended officials include Executive Engineer Sujal Kumar Prajapati, Jayang Jivanramjiwala, Sub-Engineer Arpan Parmar, Assistant Engineer Monika Gadhia, and Junior Engineer Nareshkumar Galchar.
This controversy stems from a demolition campaign carried out on May 30 in Nasirnagar, located in the central area of Surat. Residents allege that approximately 106 homes were demolished without prior notice or due process.
The incident has sparked political debate and judicial scrutiny, leading many affected residents to file petitions in the Gujarat High Court.
The investigation is particularly focused on Executive Engineer Jayang Jivanramjiwala, who oversaw the demolitions as the regional officer. Videos circulated on social media showed him monitoring the operation while wearing a scarf on his head.
Reports indicate that he took a week off starting June 8 amid growing public criticism.
Questions have also been raised regarding Executive Engineer Sujal Kumar Prajapati’s role. Although the demolition site reportedly did not fall under his jurisdiction, he is accused of directing the deployment of three excavators, two JCB demolition machines, and around 60 workers for the operation.
Additionally, he allegedly instructed the demolition to proceed in the presence of police officers, even though no officials from his department accompanied the demolition team.
These allegations are part of the ongoing investigation.
During the latest hearing on June 29, the High Court questioned Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot about the administration’s inaction despite the presence of police during the demolitions. The court asked why no action was taken for 16 days.
The bench also scrutinized the role of senior police officials, including a Deputy Commissioner, in the boundary marking process and issued a notice to the private builder involved in the operation.
Reports further indicate that the High Court suggested that the demolitions appeared to be conducted under the guise of road boundary marking. It emphasized that if the actions were illegal, the police officers present had a duty to intervene.
The court has also directed the SMC to submit its internal investigation report and to examine allegations that the demolitions may have been conducted to benefit a private development project.
These allegations remain under judicial consideration and have not yet been proven. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for July 2.
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