The Municipal Corporation of Delhi suspended junior engineer Vikas Kumar Gupta after the demolition of activist Jagriti Mishra’s cow shelter. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met Mishra on Sunday and promised Rs 5 lakh in aid. The government ordered an inquiry into the bribery allegations that led to the shelter's destruction.

The action came a day after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met Jagriti Mishra, ordered an inquiry and assured Rs 5 lakh in financial assistance. The controversy followed bribery allegations by Mishra and subsequent demolition at the shelter.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has suspended a junior engineer over the demolition at animal welfare activist Jagriti Mishra's cow shelter, a day after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured her of action against those responsible.

Vikas Kumar Gupta, a Junior Engineer (Building) in the MCD's Outer North Zone, has been suspended with immediate effect as disciplinary proceedings against him are being contemplated, according to an official order.

The order stated that Gupta would receive a subsistence allowance as per rules during the suspension period and would not be allowed to leave his station without permission. His headquarters during the suspension would be the office of the Superintending Engineer, Outer North Zone.

REKHA GUPTA ASSURES ACTION, RS 5 LAKH AID

On Sunday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met Mishra and assured her of support in the matter. She also announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

In a post on X, Gupta said an inquiry into the junior engineer's conduct had been ordered and that the police had been directed to register a case against those responsible. She added that the district magistrate had been instructed to assist Mishra in setting up the animal shelter.

The chief minister said the government would not tolerate harassment of citizens or misuse of authority and that those found guilty would face action under the law.

ROW FOLLOWING BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS

The controversy began with allegations of bribery and subsequently escalated into demolition action at Mishra's animal shelter. The MCD's suspension of the junior engineer comes amid demands for accountability over the action.

Separately, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Jarnail Singh met Mishra and sought to distance the party from the controversy.

In a statement posted on X, the AAP said Singh had clarified that the party had no connection with the alleged bribery or demolition. It added that Mishra had expressed regret over her earlier statement following their conversation and that the misunderstanding had been resolved.

The suspension and the inquiry ordered by the Delhi government are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the demolition and the alleged conduct of the civic official.