On May 30, the Surat Municipal Corporation demolished around 100 shanties, built in Nasir Nagar allegedly encroaching on private land in the Ved Road area, displacing as many families. (PTI Photo)The Gujarat High Court on Thursday orally questioned how the Surat Municipal Commissioner could continue in office while a state-level inquiry into the controversial Nasir Nagar demolition is underway, observing that Gujarat’s image as a “model state” is at stake, even as the State informed the court that two of its “best officers in municipal administration” had been appointed to conduct the probe.Hearing the petition filed by 26 residents of Nasir Nagar, Justice Nikhil Kariel repeatedly expressed concern over the government’s decision to allow the Municipal Commissioner to remain in the same position while the inquiry is underway. The court orally observed that while it appreciated the State’s seriousness in constituting an inquiry, the message being sent out was that senior officers “cannot be touched”.The court orally said, “The concern is that the State’s image as a model state is being sullied… What message are you sending out as a State if, while an inquiry is being conducted, the impression remains that senior officers cannot be touched? … How do you expect an officer of a lower rank to make an independent statement when he is ultimately under the supervisory control of the very person against whom allegations have been made?”Also Read | Surat demolition: Official says ‘followed orders’, moves court against suspensionGovernment Pleader G H Virk informed the court that the government had constituted a high-level inquiry committee headed by two of its “best” municipal administration officers. He submitted that both officers had “an established record of conducting independent inquiries, including one monitored by the High Court in the past, where they had exonerated some officers while fixing responsibility on senior officials”.According to the State, the committee has been given a clear mandate by the General Administration Department to “go to the bottom of the matter,” including examining the role of office-bearers at the highest level. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 60 days, of which around 10 days have already elapsed.The State submitted that the revised terms of reference had already received approval at the highest level of the State government and that the committee would examine competing versions placed before it before fixing responsibility. The state assured the court that “the report will speak for itself.”The court, however, orally said its concern was not with the credentials of the inquiry officers but with the environment in which the inquiry would proceed. The court orally observed that conducting an inquiry against the head of an institution while allowing him to continue in office raised legitimate concerns about the perception of fairness.Story continues below this adAlso Read | Surat demolition: Gujarat High Court grants state more time to reply amid flood situationEmphasising that “justice should not only be done but should also be seen to be done,” the court orally remarked that the State had several administrative options available.“… (the court is) not even saying that he must be removed. You have a hundred ways of accommodating an officer,” the court said, adding that transferring the officer during the pendency of the inquiry could avoid unnecessary embarrassment to both the State and the inquiry committee.Responding to the court’s concerns, the Government Pleader said the State was willing to file an interim progress report before the final inquiry report if that would reassure the court that the process was being conducted fairly.The court also indicated that the inquiry should not be confined to the municipal administration alone and asked the State where the role of “authorities within the police hierarchy was being factored into the exercise”. In response, the Government Pleader said that either the existing committee or another committee of equivalent seniority headed by a senior police officer could examine the role of the police and report back within a similar timeframe.Story continues below this adThe court said that it was not seeking to monitor the inquiry or interfere with the State’s administrative decisions. The court said its immediate priority was ensuring rehabilitation of those affected by the demolition, which the Advocate General assured was being carried out. The court will next hear the matter on August 10.On May 30, the Surat Municipal Corporation demolished around 100 shanties, built in Nasir Nagar allegedly encroaching on private land in the Ved Road area, displacing as many families. Twenty-six affected residents have challenged the action before the High Court, seeking accountability and rehabilitation.Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Expertise: Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including: Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground. Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure. Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions. Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:demolition