Tiwari becomes the second bureaucrat to face the axe after a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Subhash Lalla, was forced to resign earlier this month for his alleged involvement in the scam.

“Governor Shankaranarayanan suspended State Information Commissioner for Greater Mumbai Ramanand Tiwari. The order comes in force with immediate effect,” a Raj Bhavan spokesman said.

Tiwari, who is a retired IAS officer, was the state Urban Development secretary when the controversial Adarsh Housing Society file for increase in its FSI (floor space index) as well as change in nomenclature of the land - from defence to revenue land - was cleared by his department paving way for the construction of the 31-storey tower.

The Maharashtra state cabinet had recommended to the Governor to make a reference to the Supreme Court on Tiwari under section 17(1) of the Right to Information Act 2005 for his removal, and to suspend him from office pending an inquiry by the apex court.

The suspension was warranted after Tiwari continued to attend office despite the state cabient's recommendation and the Governor's reference to the Supreme Court.  Tiwari has vowed to challenge the reference as well as suspension in the court.