AV Prem Nath, a DANICS officer of joint secretary level, who is facing criminal probe for allegedly molesting a 17-year-old girl in Almora in Uttarakhand, has been suspended by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Nath is currently posted in Urban Development Department, Delhi Government.
As per the MHA order issued on Tuesday, a case against Nath, in respect of a criminal offence is under investigation by Almora Police, Uttrakhand. On October 4, he was also detained in custody of the Almora police for more than forty-eight hours, said the order .
“Therefore, Nath is suspended with effect from the date of his detention, in terms of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, and shall remain under suspension until further orders,” the MHA order stated. During the period of suspension, Nath shall not leave the headquarters (Delhi) without obtaining the prior permission of the Competent Authority, it said.
As per the order, Nath, would be entitled to a subsistence allowance at an amount equal to the leave salary which he would have drawn, had he been on leave on half average pay or on half pay and in addition, dearness allowance, if admissible on the basis of such leave salary, under FR-53, subject to the furnishing of a certificate to the effect that he has not been employed in any business, profession or vocation for a profit/remuneration/salary. Sources said that Nath is founder member of a school ‘Pleasant Valley’ at Dandakanda, Almora.
According to reports, the mother of the victim has alleged that Nath, in the pretext of providing job, took her daughter to his school in Almora where he raped her. The victim’s mother has also alleged that when she opposed his action, she was framed in a false case and even sent to jail.
The family had to approach Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Almora tehsil, Chandra Singh Martolia, when district police refused to take any action in the case.
At the ADM’s behest, the case was registered under the Pocso Act and IPC sections 376/511 (attempt to rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation), and the IT Act, said Almora SSP Pradeep Kumar Rai.