Five Surat Municipal Corporation Officials Suspended Over Demolition of Houses

Surat: Five officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) have been suspended following the demolition of around 80 houses under suspicious circumstances in the Nasirnagar area of Surat. The incident took place in May. The suspensions come days after authorities had stated that the municipal corporation was not involved in the operation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, SMC said a departmental inquiry had been initiated based on the findings of an internal investigation committee that examined the demolition. The suspended officials are Executive Engineers Sujalkumar Prajapati and Jayang Jivanramjivala, Deputy Engineer Arpan Parmar, Assistant Engineer Monik Gadiya, and Junior Engineer Nareshkumar Galchar. Other findings of the committee have not been made public.

Around 80 homes in Nasirnagar were reportedly demolished without prior notice, triggering widespread controversy. Following media reports, SMC denied involvement in the incident and ordered an investigation. According to the corporation, its officials had visited the site only to determine road boundaries.

However, allegations have emerged that the suspension of officials is an attempt to shift blame and cover up administrative lapses. It is alleged that the demolition was carried out at the direction of the ruling BJP in the interest of corporate groups with stakes in the land. A resident has approached the Gujarat High Court, alleging that due procedures were not followed during the demolition.