Govt connecting the dots before serving charge sheet on suspended IAS

A week after placing Invest UP chief executive officer (CEO) Abhishek Prakash, an IAS officer of the 2006 batch, under suspension, the state government is connecting the dots to work out and issue a charge sheet to him.

- HT Correspondent

LUCKNOW:

The state government will also soon appoint an inquiry officer to probe the charges given to him in the charge sheet and action, if recommended by the inquiry officer, would be taken against him thereafter.

"Yes, we are connecting the dots, and the charge sheet will be given to Abhishek Prakash soon. The state government will also appoint an inquiry officer to complete the disciplinary probe ordered against him," said a senior officer.

Besides working as Invest UP CEO, Abhishek Prakash was also functioning as secretary infrastructure and industrial development to the state government.

Those aware of the development said the charge sheet is worked out based on the available evidence/material and the dots need to be connected. The state government ordered suspension of Abhishek Prakash following a complaint by Biswajit Datt of SAEL Solar P6 Private Limited, alleging that a senior officer of Invest UP gave him the number of Nikant Jain who demanded 5% commission for approval.

The state government has also sent a report of the then Revenue Board chairman Rajnish Dubey regarding irregularities in acquisition of land for the defence corridor in Lucknow. Abhishek Prakash was posted as Lucknow district magistrate at the time.

"There are apparently glaring lapses in the acquisition and payment of compensation and the appointment department has been asked to examine the report and action will follow against those found guilty of the lapses," another senior officer said.