New Delhi, Aug. 3 (ANI): Noted criminal lawyer Ram Jethmalani on Saturday assured support to suspended Uttar Pradesh Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, and said he is proud of the fact that India still has such genuine officers who are honest and work fearlessly.
"I have been reading about her in the newspapers and also seen it on the news channels. I am proud of the fact that India still has such genuine officers who are honest and doing their work courageously. Everybody is aware about the sand mafia and how dangerous they are. They have power and backing of the politicians," said Jethmalani.
"This girl has through her bravery increased the pride of the feminine gender. As a citizen of the country, it is my right to help her," he added, while asserting that he would not charge any fees from Nagpal.
The 28-year-old Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar reached out to the Samajwadi Party (SP) Government yesterday to proclaim her innocence.
The Allahabad High Court yesterday adjourned the hearing on a PIL filed in connection with the IAS officer's suspension by the Uttar Pradesh Government.
The High Court also sought a response from the state government and the Centre in connection with this case.
The case will now come up for hearing on August 19.
The clamour for reinstating Nagpal grew louder on Thursday with representatives of the Central IAS officers' Association meeting Minister of State in PMO V. Narayanasamy to demand justice for her.
Nagpal was suspended last month ostensibly for taking on the sand mafia and for ordering the demolition of a wall of a mosque that was being built on government land in the state's Gautam Buddh Nagar District, where she was posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
According to reports, the 2009-batch IAS officer had seized nearly 300 trolleys of sand being illegally mined from the Yamuna river bed.
Though the Uttar Pradesh Government has called it as an 'administrative decision', against her for demolishing a wall which was part of an intended mosque, but many believe that it was the result of pressure from the mining mafia.
Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Government said removing Nagpal was an "administrative decision" as her decision to demolish the mosque could trigger communal tension, especially since it came during the month of Ramzan.
Defending his government's action, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has said the bureaucrat ordered the demolition of a portion of the mosque which might have resulted in disturbing peace in the state.
"You should inquire from the people of that village. The Muslim families collected donation for building a mosque, a wall was built, and you took the decision without holding any consultation and spoilt the environment there," he said.
Yadav said there was no matter of mining for which the action was taken.
"The government will act against all those who act against goodwill and brotherhood or try to spoil the environment by of their work," he added, while rubbishing reports that the government acted tough only because it was a matter of illegal mining.
"If you look at the record of last two to three months then you will come to know that truck and machines were caught. We are also desirous that illegal mining should not take place," he added. (ANI)
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