
AHMEDABAD, Oct 20: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday cancelled the suspension order served to two IPS officers following the death of seven persons in the police firing in Surat.
The Tribunal also turned down the plea of the State Government for a stay on the order. The State had asked for a stay on the ground that it wanted to move the High Court in this regard.
The two officers, Ahmedabad Additional Commissioner of Police (Sector II) Vipul Vijoy and Surat Dy Commissioner of Police Manoj Agrawal were suspended on charges of using excessive force after a Ganeshotsav rally changed its route in Surat. Participants in the rally had insisted on passing through the sensitive Madina Masjid area of Surat.
Police had resorted to firing after the mob allegedly clashed with them. Counsel for both officers argued it was premature to take a view on the allegations against them. Moreover, the DGP and IGP, in their reports, had made observations in favour of the officers. In a related development, Vijoy has filed a caveat regarding the case in High Court.