Election Commission removes Jharkhand DGP for ‘prior misconduct, bias’ in polls | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: EC on Saturday ordered the removal of acting Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta with immediate effect over past allegations of biased conduct and misuse of authority during polls.
EC has directed Jharkhand govt to hand over Gupta’s charge to the most senior DGP-level officer. The Commission has told the state govt to submit a panel of names of senior IPS officers by 10am Monday, from which it will approve one for taking over the post of DGP.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gupta was relieved of his duties as ADG (special branch)-Jharkhand, following allegations by JMM of biased conduct.At the time, he was reassigned to the Resident Commissioner’s office in Delhi and barred from returning to Jharkhand until the poll process was completed.
In 2016, during the biennial elections to the council of states from Jharkhand, Gupta, then additional DGP, had faced serious charges of misuse of authority. EC had formed an inquiry committee which, based on its findings, resulted in a chargesheet being issued against him for departmental probe. A case was also registered under sections of IPC. In 2021, Jharkhand govt granted permission for an investigation against Gupta under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The Jharkhand govt was directed to submit the compliance of EC’s directions to replace Gupta by 7pm on Saturday. Also, the state govt was asked to submit a panel of senior IPS officers by 10am Monday.