Naveen Patnaik’s special secretary D.S. Kutey suspended and summoned to Delhi
- In Reports
- 06:22 PM, May 29, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Election Commission of India suspended D S Kutey, special secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, for "unduly interfering in the conduct of elections" ahead of the final phase in Odisha on June 1. Another IPS officer, Ashish Singh, inspector general, who is on medical leave, has been instructed by the ECI to appear before a medical board by Thursday.
An IPS officer of the 1997 batch, Kutey was regarded as one of the most influential bureaucrats in the Chief Minister's Office. The ECI has designated his headquarters as New Delhi at the Office of the Resident Commissioner, Odisha.
The Chief Secretary of Odisha has been instructed by the ECI to issue a charge sheet to Kutey by Thursday. The Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha will provide the draft charge sheet to the Chief Secretary.
In the case of Singh, who has been on leave since May 4, an ECI letter addressed to the CEO Odisha stated that he must present himself before a special medical board to be established by the director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar for thorough medical examinations.
Earlier, on ECI's recommendation, the government had transferred Singh from his position as IG Central range in April. In April, six IPS and two IAS officers were transferred based on ECI recommendations.
The ECI also called for a prompt investigation into a case registered against BJP Khurda MLA candidate Prasanta Jagadev for allegedly damaging an EVM in a polling booth on May 25. The commission requested a report on its directives.
These actions underscore the Election Commission of India's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. By taking stringent measures against senior officials like D.S. Kutey and Ashish Singh, as well as ensuring swift investigations into electoral misconduct, the ECI aims to uphold fair and transparent elections.
The promptness in addressing issues, from bureaucratic interference to alleged tampering with EVMs, reflects the ECI's dedication to safeguarding democratic principles and reinforcing public trust in the electoral system.
Image source: Times of India
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