A senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer posted as OSD in the State Mantralaya was on Monday suspended on the charge of alleged corruption. His audio-clip allegedly demanding bribe from his subordinate was recently circulated on Whatsapp and the next day he was transferred from the post of Commissioner of the Tribal Welfare department.
JN Malpani was suspended for allegedly not maintaining absolute integrity and devotion to duty, among others, an order issued by the General Administration department said.
Objecting to the decision of the State Government, Malpani said that he would appeal against the action. “It is a one-sided decision. There is no complainant in the matter. I will appeal against it,” he added.
The audio-clip had gone viral in which Malpani was allegedly heard seeking bribe from his subordinate Assistant Commissioner in the Tribal Welfare department, RK Shroti in Barwani area. Malpani, who was then Commissioner of the department, is presently working as Officer on Special Duty in Mantralaya.
A senior State Government officer said that a detailed enquiry will follow in the case. Anti-corruption activists in the State, however, accused the Government of discriminating
There are other IAS officers, who are direct recruits, allegedly involved in corruption. But the State Government is doing nothing in their cases. Malpani being a promotee IAS officer has been promptly suspended.
A member of the Transparency International, Ajay Dubey said that it will be better if the Government also takes prompt action against directly recruited IAS officers who are allegedly involved in graft.
RK Shroti too suspended
In a separate order issued by the State Government on Monday, Assistant Commissioner of Tribal Welfare department RK Shroti was also suspended on the charge of misconduct and tarnishing the image of the Government.
In the suspension order, it has clearly been mentioned that by recording the conversation on mobile phone with senior officer and making it public, he has betrayed the confidence of the State Government. It has also been pointed out that in the conversation, assurance given by him for giving bribe also comes under the misconduct and thus he has been suspended.