The Narendra Modi government has launched inquiry proceedings against the former state chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, who was caught in the crossfire between the Centre and chief minister Mamata Banerjee over skipping a review meeting with the Prime Minister.

On June 16, the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions issued a memorandum to hold “major penalty proceedings” against Bandyopadhyay.

The proceedings have been initiated against him under rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeals) Rules, 1969 along with Rule 6 of the All India Services (Death-cum-retirement benefits) Rules, 1958.

“Alapan Bandyopadhyay is directed to submit within 30 days of the receipt of this memorandum a written statement of his defence and also to state whether he desires to be heard in person,” reads the memorandum.

Bandyopadhyay has been charged with breach of service rules, for which he has been specifically asked to reply whether he admits or denies wrongdoing. In case he denies wrongdoing, the government will constitute an inquiry by appointing an inquiry officer and a presenting officer from the pool of serving or retired officers.

In case, Bandyopadhyay declines from responding to the June 16 memorandum, or does not appear in person, an ex parte inquiry will be held against him to look into the charges. The Centre will appoint an inquiry officer and a presenting officer from the serving or retired pool of officers.

Bandyopadhyay, a 1987 batch IAS officer, had been granted an extension for three months, but was forced to retire May 31 after falling foul of none other than Modi himself. On May 28, Bandyopadhyay was abruptly recalled to Delhi, hours after he, along with chief minister Mamata Banerjee, had skipped a meeting called by Modi to review damages caused by Cyclone Yaas at Kalaikunda.

After Bandyopadhyay hurriedly retired on May 31, the Centre issued a notice to him evoking the Disaster Management Act for not attending Modi’s review meeting and hinting at unspecified action against him for defying the order to report at North Block on May 31. But Bandyopadhyay retired from service the same day and was appointed chief adviser to the chief minister.

Though Mamata had later claimed that Alapan chapter was closed, the June 16 letter indicates the Modi government is determined to prosecute the retired bureaucrat.

But according to a retired bureaucrat who has served in Bengal, the Centre's case against Bandyopadhyay was weak. “He was the chief secretary of Bengal, and not the Centre. The Centre cannot give a showcause notice to an officer who was not serving it,” he said.