Surat Civic Body Suspends Five Officials Over Controversial Demolition

The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has suspended five of its officials in connection with the demolition of several shanties in the city's Nasirnagar area on May 30. The suspension, announced on Thursday, follows a departmental inquiry initiated based on findings from an internal committee that investigated the demolition drive.

Residents of the affected area have approached the Gujarat High Court, alleging that due process was not followed during the demolition and that they were not issued prior notices. The SMC, in a statement on Wednesday, said the six-member inquiry committee's report led to the suspension and subsequent departmental action.

Surat Municipal Commissioner M Nagarajan told The Indian Express that the inquiry would "fix charges on the basis of their role and further action will later be taken against them." The five suspended officials now face a formal departmental inquiry to determine accountability.