Odisha: ECI orders suspension of IPS officer DS Kutey

Update: 2024-05-29 07:19 GMT
IPS officers DS Kutey and Ashis Kumar Singh
BHUBANESWAR: The Election Commission of India (ECI), which had earlier shifted two collectors and for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, has ordered the suspension of special secretary to Odisha Chief Minister's Office (CMO) D S Kutey in a bid to ‘curb undue influence on the “poll machinery and maintaining the level playing field and fairness in the electoral process.”

The ECI has also directed a detailed medical examination of Ashish Kumar Singh, IG (CM Security), who has been on medical leave since May 4, 2024.

Both DS Kutey and Ashish Singh are senior IPS officers.

In a letter issued to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha, the ECI stated that the CEO Odisha has made certain averments indicating undue being exercised by the aforementioned officers directly connected with the conduct of election work. This was further corroborated by various other inputs received from the field from time to time.

“D.S. Kutey, IPS (RR:1997), Special Secretary to CM be placed under suspension under relevant service rules for unduly interfering in conduct of election. His headquarters is fixed at the Office of Resident Commissioner Odisha, New Delhi where he shall report by 3:00 pm on 29th May 2024. Chief Electoral Officer Odisha shall provide to the Chief Secretary of Odisha draft of charge sheet to be issued to Shri D. S. Kutey. Chief Secretary of Odisha shall arrange to issue a charge-sheet by competent authority under relevant service rules, not later than by 5:00 pm of 30th May 2024," the ECI letter, issued late on Tuesday evening, read.

On April 8, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had lodged a complaint with the CEO accusing him Kutey of working for the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) by staying at the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Even though the Election Commission of India (ECI) had barred the IPS officer from election duty, he has been appointed as the special secretary at the CMO and is getting multiple works of the ruling party done through the superintendents of police (SPs) and inspectors of various police stations, the BJP alleged in the complaint.

The BJP accused the IPS of working on behalf of the BJD and demanded that his cellphones should be seized immediately and call details record (CDR) be retrieved.

Regarding Ashish Kumar Singh, the ECI order stated " Ashish Kumar Singh IPS(RR:2010), IG (CM Security), being on medical leave since 4th May 2024, be present himself for detailed medical examination by a special medical board constituted by Director AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, not later than 30th May 2024. Chief Electoral Officer shall coordinate to ensure that Director AIIMS Bhubaneswar constitutes a special medical board to ascertain illness and treatment being undergone. Report on this shall reach the Commission latest by 31 May 2024."

On the alleged arrest of BJP MLA candidate Prashant Jagdev on the charge of alleged damage of electronic voting machine (EVM), the ECI mentioned that expeditious investigation under due process of law shall continue unhindered in the case registered against Jagdev.


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