Power board official suspended for derogatory remarks against Jat community

Rohtak/Sonipat: Geetu Ram Tanwar, a superintending engineer with the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) in Sonipat, has been suspended with immediate effect after a video of his alleged derogatory remarks against the Jat community went viral.The managing director has transferred Tanwar to Panchkula pending further proceedings. The move follows widespread protests by multiple Jat organisations, terming the remarks as offensive and divisive. Amid the mounting criticism, Tanwar held a press conference in Karnal on Thursday, claiming the video was selectively edited and taken out of context. He maintained that the statement was made in jest during an informal gathering at the DC camp office, claiming that members of the Jat community were present at the time. However, the controversy has deepened as several department officials—including executive engineers Ranvir Deshwal and Ashwani Kaushik, and sub-divisional officers Pradeep Khokhar (Ganaur and City)—filed formal complaints with the chief minister, the MD and police commissioner Mamta Singh. The officials alleged that Tanwar coerced them into preparing dubious bills, used abusive language and threatened to implicate staff under the SC/ST Act. They further accused the SE of using derogatory historical references during official meetings, citing audio and video recordings as evidence. The complaints also alleged that Tanwar pressured an officer to generate an Rs 8.37 crore bill in a previously rejected refund case. Additional claims include hostile actions against a former SDO, intimidation during CGRF proceedings and financial impropriety involving Rs 13 lakh. Meanwhile, in Rohtak, the Jat Seva Sangh submitted a memorandum to DC Sachin Gupta demanding Tanwar's dismissal and the registration of an FIR. MSID:: 129979651 413 |