NEW DELHI: In the first such case where a Parliament official faced action for his social media activities, a deputy director (security) of the Parliament Security Service has been demoted for sharing offensive and derogatory posts against Prime Minister Narendra Modi , some Union ministers and chief ministers.

The security official, Urujul Hasan , who had been under suspension since June 2018, was demoted from deputy director (security) to the level of security officer - a lower rank - for a period of five years.

A notification to this effect was issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat on Wednesday. The disciplinary proceeding found him sharing a number of posts indicating his active involvement/assistance/indulgence in political activities, canvassing in connection with an election to the legislature and “failure to maintain political neutrality”.

The disciplinary proceeding was initiated against him on the charges of sharing several “offensive, derogatory, demeaning and sarcastic” posts on social media against Prime Minister, some union ministers and chief ministers.

The penalty of “reduction to the lower grade” was imposed on him by the Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu under relevant rule of the Rajya Sabha (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules with directions that “the period of reduction shall operate to postpone future increments of his pay falling due in this period”.

On expiry of the five year period, the official will not “regain his original seniority in the grade of deputy director (security)”. The suspension of Hasan was revoked with effect from February 10.

“This penalty is more severe than merely putting him under suspension - it means, the official will lose nearly 15 years of his overall seniority in real terms,” said an official, explaining the order.

