SHIMLA: The chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government has revoked the suspension of a senior IPS officer of 1994 batch- Zahur Haider Zaidi.
IPS officer Soumya Sambasivan had alleged that Zaidi was pressuring her and on January 15, 2020, Zaidi was placed under suspension through a notification issued by department of home in which it was stated that perusal of record and documents in the matter including the allegations levelled by Soumya Sambasivan (against Zahur Haider Zaidi) disclose grave misconduct and lack of integrity and devotion to duty on the part of Zahur Haider Zaidi which is unbecoming of an officer.
Now, the notification issued by department of home on Friday stated that governor, Himachal Pradesh in exercise of powers conferred under Rule -3(7)(c) of All India Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 has revoked the suspension with immediate effect.
Zaidi has been directed to report at Police Headquarters, Shimla and his orders of posting would be issued separately.
At the time of suspension, Zaidi was posted as CEO of Himachal Pradesh Wakf Board, and he was placed under suspension on the charges of pressurizing IPS officer Soumya Sambasivan, then posted as Commandant of 3rd IRBN Pandoh, to change her statement in Kotkhai custodial death case.
While issuing the suspension order on January 15, 2020 after a report along with the order of Special Judge CBI Court Chandigarh was received, the department of home had also proposed to hold departmental inquiry into the matter under Rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
Soumya Sambasivan had submitted an application/complaint before the Special Judge, CBI Court, Chandigarh on January 8, 2020 alleging that she was being pressurized by Zahur Haider Zaidi since September last year telephonically to change her statement in case titled CBI vs Zahur Haider Zaidi etc (FIR no 9/17 under sections 302, 330, 331, 348, 323, 324, 218,195, 196, 201, 120-B of IPC) commonly known as Kotkhai custodial death case. Statement of Soumya Sambasivan was also recorded on the same day before the Court. After recording her statement, the CBI Court had directed the DGP to take appropriate action in the matter and subsequently he was placed under suspension.
