In the wake of the Morbi tragedy that claimed around 135 lives, the Gujarat state government on Friday suspended Sandipsinh Zala, Chief Officer of Morbi Municipality.
The local administration officer was suspended following the ongoing investigation relating to the bridge collapse. So far, police has arrested nine people, including guards and ticketing clerks on duty during the incident.
Earlier PM Modi, during his three-day visit to the poll-bound state, had called for a detailed inquiry into the cause of the tragedy.
The search operations at Morbi was called off on Thursday.
The British-era suspension bridge, built on the river Machchhu in Morbi town, had collapsed on Sunday evening. Several including women and children died in the tragedy.
"The state Urban Development Department has suspended Chief Officer of Morbi Municipality Sandipsinh Zala," said Morbi District Collector G T Pandya.
Resident Additional Collector of Morbi has been given the additional charge of the Chief Officer until further orders, he said.
Officials said that Morbi Municipality had given the contract of the bridge repair and maintenance to Oreva group for 15 years.
(With inputs from PTI)