Talking to Express Newsline, Surat Railway Station Area Office B L Verma confirmed that Desai had been suspended. ``The suspension is a departmental matter and administrative inefficiency along with mismanagement is the reason behind the suspension,'' Verma said, adding the suspension orders were issued last Monday.

An inquiry will be carried out, following which he will be asked to reply to the charges, Verma said. He denied giving the exact reason behind the suspension, saying it was just a departmental matter.

It has been learnt that a team of officials from Mumbai paid a surprise visit at the counter and found Desai directly issuing tickets from his cabin to those who paid higher charges. The team also found that he was encouraging tout activity at the reservation centre in the city.

Desai has already left for the Mumbai divisional office, where he will be interrogated.

Meanwhile, B S Mohanlal has been asked to taken temporary charge as CBS at the reservation centre, officials said.