The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday suspended IPS officer Quaiser Khalid with immediate effect for sanctioning the hoarding without the approval of the DGP office, due to which 17 people died and 74 were left injured in the incident that happened on May 13 amid strong winds and heavy rains in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area.
Born in Araria, Bihar, he completed his schooling in the city. He then headed to Patna for an undergraduate degree in Geography from Patna Science College. According to his LinkedIn profile, Quaiser Khalid is an experienced Commissioner with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. He is also skilled in Negotiation, Government, Humanitarian, Public Speaking, and Management. Strong military and protective services professional with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in Geography from Patna Science College.
Secured AIR 115
In 1997, Quaiser Khalid cracked the UPSC secured 115th rank in the UPSC examination and became an IPS officer. According to Wikipedia, Khalid started his career as a trainee Assistant Superintendent of Police in Solapur rural police district of Maharashtra. He has served in Jalgaon, Gadchiroli, Sindhudurg, and Wardha districts as Assistant/ Additional/ Superintendent of Police. He has also worked as Commanding Officer of State Reserve Police Force Group eleven Navi Mumbai and Group Four at Nagpur. He has served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Railways Central Zone, Deputy Commissioner of Police Port Zone, Additional Commissioner of police east region, Mumbai, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Mumbai, Additional Commissioner of Police Local Armed, Mumbai, officiating Managing Director, Maharashtra State Security Corporation and Inspector General of Police, Crime against weaker sections, women and children.
Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case
Quaiser Khalid, a 1997 batch IPS officer was suspended by the state home department in connection with the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case. The Director General of Police's report, which was turned in on May 21, was the basis for the suspension, according to a detailed order issued by the home department.
Mumbai Crime Branch has so far arrested Bhavesh Bhide, director of Ego Media, which had erected the structure. Mumbai Police has already registered a case under IPC sections 304, 338, 337, and 34 against Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station.
As per an order from the Maharashtra Government, "The Government of Maharashtra has decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Md Quaiser Khalid, IPS (MH: 1997), Additional Director General of PCR, Maharashtra State the then CP, Railways, Mumbai, in respect of administrative lapses and irregularities in sanctioning the hoarding, on his own, without approval of the DGP office and in respect of the misusage of powers by allowing massive hoarding of 120 X 140 sq ft deviating from the approved norms as pointed out in the report of Director General of Police, Maharashtra State."
It further added, "A report was submitted by the Director General of Police, Maharashtra state, Mumbai vide DO letter dated May 21, 2024, referred to in Ref No 1 which mentioned the gross irregularities and administrative lapses in sanctioning the hoarding that collapsed on May 13, 2024."
(With inputs from ANI)
