The Centre suspended two senior Delhi government officers on Sunday while two other officials were issued show-cause notice for dereliction of duty during the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain Covid-19 spread.

The Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department and the Principal Secretary of Finance, GNCTD & Divisional Commissioner were suspended with immediate effect, while the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Land Buildings Departments and SDM Seelampur were issued a show-cause notice for “failing to ensure public health and safety during the lockdown.

It has been brought to the notice of the competent authority that the officers, who were responsible to ensure strict compliance to the instructions issued by Chairperson, National Executive Committee, formed under Disaster Managment Act 2005 regarding containment of spread of COVID-19, have prima facie failed to do so,” the ministry said on Sunday night

While the ministry did not officilaly reveal the cause of the disciplinary action, a person familiar with the development said that the crowds at Anand Vihar had “jeopardized the safety of crores of other citizens” in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

“These officers have failed to ensure public health and safety during the lockdown restrictions to combat COVID-19. Due to the serious lapses in performance of their duties, the competent authority has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the officers,” the ministry said.