IAS officer suspended for alleged graft in MP

JN Malpani, a 1994 batch officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), was suspended for allegedly not maintaining "absolute integrity and devotion to duty", among others, an order issued by the general administration department said.

Malpani strongly objected to the decision by the state government and said that he would appeal against it.

"It is one sided decision. There is no complainant in the matter. I will appeal against it," he told PTI.

The move follows as an audio clip had gone viral in which Malpani was allegedly heard seeking bribe from his subordinate in the tribal welfare department in Barwani area. Malpani, who was then Commissioner in the department, is presently working as Officer on Special Duty in Secretariat.

"A detailed enquiry will follow in the case," a senior state government officer said.

Anti-corruption activists in the state, however, accused the government of discriminating against promotee IAS officers while taking action.

"There are other IAS officers, who are direct recruit, allegedly involved in corruption. But the state government is doing nothing in their cases. Malpani being a promotee IAS officer has been promptly suspended.

"It will be better if government takes prompt action against directly recruited IAS officers who are allegedly involved in graft," said Ajay Dubey, board member of Transparency International, an NGO.