New Delhi: A probe into the Bilari sub-divisional magistrate’s decision to order the destruction of an allegedly illegally constructed shop in Moradabad has revealed several procedural lapses on the part of the SDM.The SDM, Ghanshyam Verma, had been removed from his post last Saturday and instead attached to the Moradabad collector’s office, the Indian Express reported.According to The Hindu, the inquiry was ordered after 54-year-old Zahid Ahmed wrote to Moradabad divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh on July 11, saying that Verma ordered the demolition after Ahmed asked the officer to pay Rs 2.6 lakh for furniture – including a sofa, a table and a cot with mattress – bought from his shop.“After the goods reached Hardoi, I went to the SDM’s office and handed him a bill of Rs 2.64 lakh. On seeing the bill, the SDM started verbally abusing me and threatened that he would teach me a lesson. Later, I came to know that SDM was issuing a notice to me… I met the Moradabad Commissioner and filed a complaint against the SDM,” Ahmed said, according to the Indian Express. “On coming to know that an inquiry has been ordered against him, the SDM got angry and sent a team of the district administration with a JCB machine to my place. I immediately informed senior officials but before they could stop him, the team demolished a boundary wall of my plot.”During the inquiry, it was revealed that Ahmed was given only three-days’ notice to vacate his shop. Also, while complaints had been received about several alleged encroachments in the area, Verma chose to demolish only Ahmed’s shop.According to Ahmed, when Verma was asked to pay the bill, he replied, “Tera bill table pe sajaya hai, ab tera ghar bulldozer se sajaunga [I have adorned my table with your bill, now I will adorn your house with a bulldozer].”“According to the initial probe report, it is clear that the demolition orders were issued only on July 7. The deadline was not set as per procedure. We have noticed other violations in the order too. He cannot pick and choose to act against one person in cases where there are multiple violators. The matter is under investigation. Even the Chief Minister’s Office has taken cognisance of this matter,” Singh told The Hindu.Verma has denied the allegations levelled against him and claimed that this is a “conspiracy”. He has said Ahmed’s claims that Verma purchased furniture at the shop are “false”.