Gujarat High Court tells govt to clarify parallel probe against suspended IAS Gaurav Dahiya

The Gujarat High Court on Monday directed the state government to clarify how the Gandhinagar police can initiate parallel proceedings in the complaint filed by a Delhi-based woman against suspended IAS Gaurav Dahiya, when the matter is already being probed by Delhi police.

The query came in response to a petition filed by Dahiya demanding that the court should quash the proceedings initiated by the police inspector of Gandhinagar's Sector 7 police station on the basis of the complaint filed by the woman. Following the court's query, the counsel for the state government sought time to clarify the same. The matter was posted for further hearing on Thursday.

During the hearing on Monday, senior advocate SV Raju along with advocate Ashish Dagli appeared for Dahiya. Raju contended that the incidents, as alleged by the woman against Dahiya in her complaint, had occurred either in Delhi or at other places apart from Gandhinagar; therefore, the Gandhinagar police does not have the jurisdiction to probe the matter.

It was also contended that the woman had already lodged a complaint with the Special Police Unit For Women & Children, which has taken cognizance of the matter. A copy of the complaint was sent to the chief minister's office in Gujarat, as well as to the principal secretary of General Administration. The chief minister's office forwarded the same to Sector 7 police station and the police inspector has repeatedly summoned Dahiya to remain present before him to record his statement, which the latter has avoided so far.

Dahiya is apprehending that under the guise of recording statement, the Gandhinagar police might start criminal proceedings against him, which includes registration of an FIR against him in the matter.

While the woman, who claimed to be Dahiya's second wife, had alleged bigamy, cheating, criminal intimidation, and breach of trust against the bureaucrat, the latter has also charged her of harassment, blackmailing, and extortion.

Dahiya was suspended by the state government on August 14 for misconduct and moral turpitude based on the findings of the committee formed to probe the issue and is likely to face disciplinary action.

Apprehensions

• Dahiya’s advocate contended that the incidents, as alleged by the woman, had not taken place in Gandhinagar. Therefore, the Gandhinagar police does not have the jurisdiction to probe the case
• Dahiya is apprehending that under the guise of recording his statement, the Gandhinagar police might start criminal proceedings against him