The Election Commission on Wednesday suspended an officer posted as General Observer in Odisha for allegedly checking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's chopper in Sambalpur in violation of the laid down norms.
Mohammed Mohsin, a 1996 batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer, has not acted in conformity with the EC's instructions concerning SPG protectees, according to an order issued by the commission, reports DNA India.
On the basis of a report from the district collector and the DIG of police, the EC has taken action against the General Observer of Sambalpur came a day after the prime minister's visit there on Tuesday.
A senior official remarked: "Checking of the prime minister's chopper, undertaken at Sambalpur, was not in accordance with the EC guidelines as SPG protectees are exempt from such checking."
The official added that the prime minister was stated to have been held up at the place for around 15 minutes because of the sudden checking.
EC suspends officer for checking PM Modi's chopper in Odisha https://t.co/HOgSrNBfxK
— ????? ????? ??????? (@VinayDokania) April 17, 2019
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's helicopter was also checked by the personnel of the EC flying squad in Rourkela on Tuesday.
Sources said that similar checking was carried out for Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's chopper at Sambalpur on Tuesday by the flying squad.
