Bhubaneswar: IPS officer Ashish Singh is physically and mentally fit, the Election Commission of India (ECI) Saturday said based on the report issued by the special medical board of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
“Forward the report of Special Medical Board to Odisha Chief Secretary for appropriate action against the officer as deemed fit,” ECI directed.
A source said that the ECI, prima facie found it to be a case of ‘misrepresentation of facts’ on the part of IPS officer Singh.
The ECI has also revoked the suspension of senior IPS officer DS Kutey.
“The suspension of Shri D S Kutey, IPS be revoked with immediate effect with condition that other directions given vide ECI letter dated 28.05.2024 will continue as per the rules applicable. Departmental proceedings, if instituted, can only be decided with the concurrence of the Commission. Shri DS Kutey, IPS may report to Chief Secretary Odisha for further posting, as deemed fit,” a letter addressed to Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha read.
It can be mentioned here that ECI had initiated action in response to allegations of undue influence in the Odisha Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The ECI had highlighted the involvement of Special Secretary to Chief Minister’s Office IPS DS Kutey IPS (RR: 1997), and IG (CM Security) IPS Ashish Kumar Singh (RR: 2010), in influencing officers deployed in election work.
Notably, the poll panel had ordered a detailed medical examination of Singh by a special medical board constituted by the directors of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar as he was on medical leave from May 4.
In view of conducting free and fair elections in the state, the EC had removed Singh April 2 from the post of IG-Central Range Police and had ordered him to refrain from taking part in poll-related activities. Subsequently, the Odisha government appointed him as IG (CM Security).
Prior to the EC action, the Odisha unit of BJP had April 5 lodged a complaint against Singh with the Election Commission, alleging that the IPS officer “continued to work in favour of the BJD”.
PNN & Agencies
