EC Removes DGP, Kolkata CP In Poll-Bound West Bengal

KOLKATA, Mar 16: A day after announcing the Assembly election schedule in West Bengal, the Election Commission on Monday ordered the removal of the state’s Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, officials said.

Senior IPS officer Siddh Nath Gupta has been appointed as Director General and Inspector General of Police (in-charge), replacing Peeyush Pandey, according to an official communication.

The poll panel also removed Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar and appointed Ajay Kumar Nand as the new commissioner.

Officials said the decision was taken after the Election Commission reviewed the state’s preparedness for the upcoming polls.

The commission further ordered the appointment of Natarajan Ramesh Babu as Director General of Correctional Services and Ajay Mukund Ranade as Additional Director General and Inspector General of Police (Law and Order).

The poll panel directed the state government to implement the orders immediately and submit a compliance report by 3 pm on Monday.

It also said the officers transferred from their posts should not be assigned any election-related duty until the completion of the polls. (Agencies)