Ex-IAS officer, friends booked for lockdown violation

 A former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Deepak Shanan was booked along with his daughter and friends for travelling without permission amid lockdown, the police said here on Thursday.

Acting on the complaint, the police stopped two vehicles in which 8 people, comprising Shanan, were travelling in the Sunni tehsil of the Shimla district on Wednesday.

As per the police investigation, they were returning after trekking to Shali Tibba temple, 35 km from here. The trek to the famous temple from the last roadhead is some 7 km.

They couldn't produce the travel permission and were booked, a police official said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Dinesh Sharma said two vehicles were seized and a first information report against all eight, including Shanan, was registered.

After retirement as the Additional Chief Secretary in 2018, Shanan, who also served the central government and the World Bank in various capacities, is staying at Mashobra, on the outskirts of Shimla.

A case has been registered against them under Sections 188 and 269 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act.

Besides Shanan and his daughter Jayanti, others were Arun Malik, Anil Walia and Madhav Malhotra, all residents of Mashobra.

The information regarding violation of lockdown was given by Khatnol Gram Panchayat head Anita, the police said. IANS