The Central Administrative Tribunal has stayed the suspension of an IAS officer who had checked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's helicopter in Odisha's Sambalpur last week.



Mohammed Mohsin, an IAS officer of Karnataka Cadre posted as observer in Odisha, was suspended by the Election Commission of India finding that his actions were contrary to the instructions of the commission concerning SPG Protectees.



"Even though Election Commissioner may have supervisory powers over the employees under their control at that moment of time, once they are out of it, the powers would cease", said CAT Member KB Suresh, holding that the suspension order issued by ECI, 'on the face of it, cannot lie'.



The Bangalore Bench observed that the officer will be eligible to rejoin his former position under Government of Karnataka 'without any further ado about it'. On the controversy, which led to his suspension, the it made this observation:



"During an election process, while reasonable assurances of protection and security must be made available to SPG Protectees, it cannot be said that they are eligible for anything and everything. There was news report indicating that heavy packages were taken away from Hon'ble Prime Minister's cavalcade into another vehicle and sped away in another vehicle in the State of Karnataka. Questions were raised about it but apparently no action followed."

The case has been posted on 3rd June 2019 after issuing notice to the ECI.

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