Zakir Naik's NGO licence: Joint secys ask Rajnath Singh to reconsider suspension

In what may well be a first development of its kind, as many as 15 joint secretaries deputed in the Union home ministry met home minister Rajnath Singh, requesting him to reconsider the decision to suspend senior IAS officer G.K. Dwivedi who was heading the foreigners division for renewal of FCRA licence of Zakir Naik’s NGO, Islamic Research Foundation.

The delegation of senior officials informed the home minister that Mr Dwivedi, who was deputed as joint secretary (foreigners) in the ministry, has been “wrongly punished” for the alleged lapses committed by his juniors who were responsible for giving clearance to the IRF.

The officers also claimed that Mr Dwivedi is an honest officer and such action sends “wrong signal” and is “demoralising” for others. The minister assured the officials that he will lo-ok into the matter. Sources said Mr Dwivedi also separately met the home minister to plead his case.

This is an unprecedented move as senior bureaucrats have come together to support their colleague who faced disciplinary action by the government.

Mr Dwivedi, along with three of his junior officers, was suspended last week after it was revealed that IRF’s licence had been renewed. On Saturday, four joint secretaries had met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi with the same demand.