Odisha: IAS officer checks PM Narendra Modi's chopper, gets suspended
The Election Commission yesterday suspended an officer posted as a general observer in Odisha for allegedly checking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's helicopter in Sambalpur in violation of norms. Mohammed Mohsin, a 1996-batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer, has not acted in conformity with the EC's instructions concerning Special Protection Group (SPG) protectees, according to an order issued by the commission. Know more.
PM waited for around 15 minutes because of sudden checking
The EC took the action against the general observer of Sambalpur, a day after the prime minister's visit to the city, on the basis of a report from the district collector and the deputy inspector general of police. The prime minister was stated to have been held up at the place for around 15 minutes because of the sudden checking, an official said.
Similar checks carried out on Odisha CM, Union Petroleum Minister
"Checking of the prime minister's chopper wasn't in accordance with the EC guidelines as SPG protectees are exempt from such checking," said the official. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's helicopter was also checked by EC flying squad personnel in Rourkela on Tuesday. A similar check was carried out on Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's chopper at Sambalpur Tuesday by the flying squad, sources said.
