In a sudden move, Uttar Pradesh Government transferred the District Magistrate (DM) of Gautam Buddh Nagar on Wednesdsay. Kumar Ravi Kant Singh, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2008 batch was under the line of fire from the State administration ever since he gave clean chit to Durga Shakti Nagpal after she was suspended by the State Government.
Nagpal, the then Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sadar area had reportedly ordered the demolition of an under construction mosque. The DM in his report had stated that SDM Sadar was not involved in the demolition as the wall in question was demolished by the villagers.
It may be recalled that Nagpal was suspended on July 27, ostensibly over razing the wall of a religious structure in Kadalpur village, an action the State Government said could have triggered communal tensions in the region. Singh had submitted a report two days later to the Government denying role of the young IAS in wall demolition as no JCB machine was put in operation to demolish it. She was issued a chargesheet on August 4.
Meanwhile, sources in UP Government claimed that the DM was sacked after reports of violence in Sorkha village on Tuesday. The DM had reached the site and pacified the mob. Singh has been put on wait list and has been replaced by Unnao DM Hiralal Gupta.
Earlier, several leaders of the ruling Party demanded action against the DM for giving an incorrect report about the suspended SDM Nagpal in the matter of demolition of a wall of under construction mosque in Kadalpur village.
UP Minister Azam Khan and Member of Parliament Naresh Aggarwal, had earlier, publicly said that Singh was equally responsible for the demolition of the wall and action should also be taken against him.
According to the sources, local leaders of ruling party, who have alleged hand in illegal mining in Gautam Buddh Nagar region, were also mounting pressure for removal of the DM.