IAS officer who checked PM Modi's chopper to challenge EC order against him

The Bengaluru Bench of the CAT on Thursday stayed the suspension of Mohammed Mohsin by the Election Commission (EC) for inspecting the helicopter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sambalpur in Odisha on April 16 as an election observer.

PM Narendra Modi greets Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters after landing in an Indian Air Force helicopter. Photo: File

BENGALURU: A day after getting relief from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) against the Election Commission's order suspending him, Karnataka cadre IAS officer Mohammed Mohsin has decided to take up another legal battle against the poll panel for recommending disciplinary action against him to the state government. The officer, according to PTI, said in a press release that he would seek a legal remedy against the Commission's decision. "In the night of 25 April, 2019, the commission has issued an order, inter alia, revoking the said order of suspension. It is also recommended, therein, to the government of Karnataka to initiate disciplinary action and I have been debarred from election duty until further orders. I will have to seek appropriate legal remedy against the latter part of the said order of April 25, 2019," he said. Mohsin added it would not be appropriate to mention the merits of the case since the matter was sub-judice. The Bengaluru Bench of the CAT on Thursday stayed the suspension of Mohsin by the Election Commission (EC) for inspecting the helicopter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sambalpur in Odisha on April 16 as an election observer. "The suspension order issued by the EC cannot, on the face of it, lie. It is hereby stayed. Applicant will be eligible to re-join his former position under the government of Karnataka without any further ado about it," said Tribunal Member K.B. Suresh in the order. The CAT in its order had maintained that during an election process while reasonable assurances of protection and security must be made available to SPG protectees, it cannot be said "they are eligible for anything and everything." The bench had also ordered issue of notice to the EC and "four others" and posted the matter for further hearing on June 6. Hours after the CAT stayed the suspension, the EC revoked its order, but recommended to the Karnataka government to initiate disciplinary action against Mohsin and debarred him from election duty until further orders. The CAT also took note of the plea of the applicant's counsel, who said there were news about heavy packages unloaded from the Prime Minister's cavalcade being taken away in another vehicle. Questions were raised, but apparently no action followed, it had said. However, the CAT had said it would look into this matter afresh once it received the response from the EC. The tribunal had said the applicant would be eligible to rejoin his former position under the Karnataka government "without any further ado about it". (With inputs from agencies)