Poll panel orders Jharkhand top cop's removal citing his past complaints

The Election Commission has asked Jharkhand government to submit a compliance report by 7 pm today confirming acting DGP Anurag Gupta's removal, citing past complaints against him.

In Short

• Poll Panel orders removal of Jharkhand's Acting DGP Anurag Gupta
• Gupta previously removed in 2019 due to bias allegations
• Faced misconduct charges in 2016 and malpractice case in 2018

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday ordered the immediate removal of Jharkhand's Acting Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta, citing a "history" of complaints against him during previous elections.

The Jharkhand government has been directed to submit a compliance report by 7 pm today, confirming Gupta's removal, and to present a panel of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers by 10 am on October 21, 2024, to fill the vacant position.

The poll panel's decision to remove Gupta stems from complaints and actions taken against him in earlier elections.

During the 2019 General Elections to the Lok Sabha, Gupta, then serving as Additional Director General (ADG) of the Special Branch, was removed following allegations of biased conduct raised by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

He was subsequently transferred to the Resident Commissioner’s Office in Delhi and barred from returning to Jharkhand until the election process was complete.

Gupta’s involvement in electoral controversies dates back further. In 2016, during the Biennial Elections to the Council of States from Jharkhand, he faced accusations of misconduct in his role as Additional DGP.

Following an inquiry, the ECI issued a charge sheet against him, calling for a departmental inquiry. In addition to these allegations, a case was registered against Gupta in March 2018 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code related to electoral malpractice.

In 2021, the Jharkhand government granted permission to investigate Gupta under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Sources within the Election Commission have stated that officials with a history of wrongdoing will not be allowed to participate in any way during the upcoming elections. The Jharkhand government has been instructed to ensure full compliance with the poll body's directives without delay.

Jharkhand is set to go to polls in two phases, on November 13 and 20.