Suspension of IAS officer who inspected PM Modi's chopper in Odisha put on hold: Reports

The suspension of an IAS officer, who had checked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's chopper in Odisha, was put on hold on Thursday by the Central Administrative Tribunal. 

The Election Commission had suspended Mohammed Mohsin, who was posted as general obeserver in Odisha's Sambalpur, saying he acted contrary to its instructions concerning the SPG (Special Protection Group) protectees.

The poll panel took action against the general observer of Sambalpur on the basis of a report from the district collector and the deputy inspector general of police.

The EC in its order dated April 20 directed that Mohsin, the 1996 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre, be posted at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, with immediate effect.

PM Narendra Modi was stated to have been held up at the place for around 15 minutes because of the sudden checking, an official said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s helicopter was also checked by poll panel flying squad personnel in Rourkela on that day.

A similar check was carried out on Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s chopper in Sambalpur by the flying squad, sources said.