Nagpur/Gadchiroli: The Maharashtra government suspended Deputy Sub-Divisional Engineer in its Public Works Department (PWD) after allegations emerged that he was signing official government files inside a beer bar in Maharashtra's Nagpur, a senior official from the same department told UNI.
The suspended official has been identified as Devanand Sontakke (57), who is posted at the PWD’s Chamorashi division in Gadchiroli district.
During the afternoon, at around 3:30?PM, three individuals entered a beer bar in the Manishnagar area of Nagpur, carrying a bundle of government files.
After ordering drinks, the trio began opening documents, one among them was captured signing official files while consuming alcohol.
The circulated video confirmed that the person signing the documents was Deputy Sub-Divisional Engineer Devanand Sontakke.
This incident sparked widespread outrage after a video of the activity went viral.
"After the inquiry, the Maharashtra government has suspended Sontakke and the order regarding the same has been received," confirmed Nita Thakare, Superintendent Engineer of the Public Works Department in Gadchiroli.
Notably, this incident has prompted swift government action, with disciplinary proceedings.
When asked about the two contractors from Gadchiroli who were associated with Sub-Divisional Engineer Sontakke and may have compelled him to sit in a bar and sign the files, the official added that further investigation is underway.
