BHUBANESWAR: The state govt on Thursday removed IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh, who had come under Election Commission of India (ECI) scanner during the elections, from the post of inspector general of police (chief minister’s security). He has been posted as officer on special duty with the home department.
Singh was a trusted officer of Naveen Patnaik govt and was assigned several key positions over the years.BJP had complained to the ECI against him that he was working for BJD.
On ECI recommendation, the govt transferred Singh from his posting as IG (Central range) in April. Six IPS and two IAS officers were transferred in April on ECI recommendations. Singh was later posted as IG (CM security).
On May 28, ahead of the last phase of election, the ECI had asked Singh, who was on medical leave since May 4, to present himself before a medical board. An ECI letter addressed to CEO Odisha said he had to present himself before a special medical board formed by the director AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for a detailed medical examination.
On June 8, the ECI recommended action against the 2004-batch officer saying he misrepresented facts regarding his health to avail sick leave. The ECI censure came following a report from the medical board of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, which had found him mentally and physically fit.
On June 27, the home department had sought clarification regarding Singh’s status from DGP Arun Sarangi. “Singh had resumed duty on June 3 after availing leave from May 4 to June 2,” the DGP had clarified.