Himachal director normal of police (DGP) Atul Verma, extra chief secretary (ACS) Onkar Chand Sharma and Shimla superintendent of police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi on Tuesday proceeded on depart after being directed by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Cracking whip after a three-hour assembly on Tuesday, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu requested all three officers to “proceed on leave” over “indiscipline”. (HT File)
The event comes amid a slugfest within the state police triggered by the probe into the loss of life of Himachal Pradesh Energy Company Restricted (HPPCL) chief engineer-cum-general supervisor Vimal Negi.
Cracking whip after a three-hour assembly on Tuesday, Sukhu requested all three officers to “proceed on leave” over “indiscipline”. DGP Verma is about to retire on Might 31.
The federal government additionally revoked all portfolios held by ACS Sharma.
Confirming the event, Sukhu’s principal media adviser Naresh Chauhan stated, “All three officers have been asked to proceed on leave. Show-cause notices have been issued to the DGP and the SP for indiscipline, and all charges held by the ACS have been reassigned for now.”
Within the assembly, the chief minister expressed “strong displeasure” on the continued feud between the DGP and the Shimla SP. The ACS got here below hearth for “bypassing” the advocate normal’s (AG) workplace whereas submitting a standing report within the Himachal Pradesh excessive court docket.
On Might 24, SP Gandhi publicly hit out on the DGP, ACS Sharma and the chief secretary at a press convention. The event had come as a serious embarrassment for the state authorities. A day later, the DGP beneficial that the Shimla SP be suspended.
The Vimal Negi loss of life case, which was transferred to the CBI on Might 23, was a political scorching button for the state. Whereas the household and Opposition had been demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, the state had constituted a particular investigation workforce (SIT) headed by the Shimla SP.
Nevertheless, over the past week, the DGP, in an affidavit to the HC, had raised apprehensions in regards to the SIT probe even because the Shimla SP submitted a standing report that the probe was continuing in an “unbiased” method.
On Might 23, the excessive court docket allowed the plea filed by the chief engineer’s spouse, Vimal Negi, and transferred the probe to the CBI. The Shimla SP’s contentious presser adopted.
Vigilance DG to carry DGP’s cost
The state authorities on Tuesday reassigned the costs held by the three officers until the time they’re on depart.
Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ashok Tiwari, presently the director normal of state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau, has been given extra cost because the DGP and IPS officer Gaurav Singh, at the moment Solan SP, will take over the extra cost as Shimla SP.
ACS (forests) Kamlesh Kumar Pant has been given the cost of house, vigilance and income departments and also will be the chairperson of the state air pollution management board.
Technical training secretary Kadam Sandeep Vasant has been given cost of the jal shakti division and ayush division secretary Rakhil Kahlon will take cost of the tribal growth division.
“The action sends a strong message that indiscipline will not be tolerated, no matter how senior an official is,” stated Chauhan.