IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal issue: Sonia Gandhi writes to PM asking him to intervene

New Delhi: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has intervened in the matter of controversial suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal in Uttar Pradesh by writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing concern over the issue on Saturday.

Sonia Gandhi, through her letter, asked the Central government whether it could intervene in the matter and look at how the issue can be resolved. “Although the matter is between the state and an official, the Centre should see how it can show concern, urged the Congress President.

Sonia Gandhi also noted that there was widespread concern as the officer stood up to vested interests. “We must ensure that the officer is not unfairly treated.”

On Friday, Nagpal met the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh over her suspension and said she had done nothing wrong. Nagpal submitted a two-page report to the chief secretary stating she was innocent.

The timely intervention by Sonia Gandhi is significant at a time when Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government has stoically stuck to its decision of suspending Ms Nagpal, whose action it said, threatened communal disturbance.