In a major reshuffle of top police brass in West Bengal ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India has directed removal of Kolkata police commissioner Anuj Sharma.
Mr. Sharma is being replaced by Dr. Rajesh Kumar, who is currently posted as ADG, of West Pollution Control Board. Anuj Sharma, a 1991 batch IPS officer was appointed to the post of Kolkata police chief only a few months ago after his predecessor Rajiv Kumar's tenure as the city police commissioner came to an end. He was previously holding the position of ADG (Law & Order) West Bengal Police.
The ECI, in a letter to West Bengal's Chief Secretary, also sought transfer of the Commissioner of adjacent Bidhannagar city police Gyanwant Singh. He will be replaced by N. Ramesh Babu, currently posted as ADG & IGP (Operations). The Bidhannagar City Police, which has its jurisdiction over Salt Lake and Newton areas in the north eastern fringes of the city, was in the news over alleged intervention at the Kolkata airport in an incident involving TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's wife.
EC has also removed the Police Superintendents of two districts Birbhum and Diamond Harbour. Interestingly, Mr. Banerjee is contesting from the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat.
“The present incumbent officers being shifted not to be involved by the State Government in any election related duty,” the letter by ECI reads. Political parties in the Opposition, particularly the BJP, has been raising allegations against a section of police offices of the State, stating that they were trying to favour West Bengal’s ruling party.