NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the immediate removal of Anurag Gupta, the acting Director General of Police (DGP) of Jharkhand. The directive, issued on October 19, 2024, mandates that Gupta step down and the state government appoint a senior DGP-level officer by 7 PM the same day. Ajay Kumar Singh, a former DGP, is expected to assume the position as the state prepares for upcoming elections.
The removal comes after a series of complaints against Gupta, some dating back to previous elections. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gupta faced allegations of bias, leading to his temporary transfer to Delhi. This history influenced the ECI’s decision, as they aim to ensure neutrality in the upcoming two-phase assembly elections scheduled for November 13 and 20. The Commission stressed the importance of adhering to the Supreme Court’s 2018 guidelines, which prohibit ad hoc appointments for the DGP post.
The state government is required to submit a list of eligible IPS officers by Monday morning for review. This measure highlights the ECI’s commitment to maintaining transparency and impartiality in Jharkhand’s electoral process.
