The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Wednesday, 1 July suspended five civil engineering officials with immediate effect and ordered a departmental inquiry into the demolition of more than 100 houses in Nasirnagar under the Central Zone of Surat — a drive residents allege was carried out without prior notice or due process. The action comes as the Gujarat High Court intensifies its scrutiny of the incident.

The Five Officials Suspended

The SMC's Public Relations Department stated that the suspensions were ordered to ensure the departmental inquiry proceeds in a 'fair, impartial and transparent manner.' The suspended officials are Executive Engineers Sujalkumar Prajapati and Jayang Jivanramjiwala, Deputy Engineer Arpan Parmar, Assistant Engineer Monik Gadhia, and Junior Engineer Nareshkumar Galchar.

The action follows a special investigation committee constituted by the civic body after affected residents moved the Gujarat High Court with petitions challenging the demolition.

What Happened on 30 May in Nasirnagar

The demolition drive was carried out on 30 May in Nasirnagar, with residents alleging that around 106 houses were razed without adequate notice or adherence to due process. The incident drew widespread attention after videos circulated on social media showing Executive Engineer Jayang Jivanramjiwala — reportedly the zonal officer overseeing the operation — supervising the demolition with a handkerchief tied around his head. According to reports, he subsequently proceeded on a week's leave from 8 June as public criticism mounted.

Questions have also been raised over the role of Executive Engineer Sujalkumar Prajapati. Although the demolition site reportedly did not fall within his jurisdiction, he is alleged to have instructed the deployment of three poclain excavators, two JCB breaker machines, and around 60 workers for the operation. He is further alleged to have directed that the demolition proceed in the presence of police personnel, while no officer from his own department accompanied the team. These allegations remain part of the ongoing inquiry and have not been established.

High Court's Sharp Questions

During the hearing on 29 June, the Gujarat High Court questioned Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut over why no action had been taken for 16 days despite police personnel being present at the demolition site. The bench also examined the role of senior police officers, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police, in the demarcation exercise, and issued notice to a private builder named in the proceedings.

The court reportedly observed that the demolition appeared to have been carried out 'under the garb of road demarcation,' and emphasised that police officers present at the site had a duty to prevent any unlawful action. The SMC has been directed to submit its internal inquiry reports, while the court continues to examine allegations that the demolition may have been undertaken to benefit a private development project. Those allegations remain under judicial consideration and have not been established.

What Comes Next

The next hearing is scheduled for 2 July, when the Gujarat High Court is expected to review the SMC's inquiry findings and examine the accountability of officials and other parties involved. The case has already triggered significant political debate, and the outcome of the departmental inquiry — alongside the court's directions — will determine what further action, if any, is taken against those found responsible.