Policeman suspended for obeying EC order

Mohali, February 10
A sub-inspector (SI) of the Punjab Police has paid a heavy price for diligently obeying orders of the Election Commission (EC) to check all vehicles, private and official, for unaccounted cash and liquor in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly elections.

Parmod Kumar has been placed under suspension for allegedly annoying higher-ups during the routine checking of vehicles when the former was on election duty at a static naka in Mohali. Officially, he has been transferred five days before the polling while he was on election duty, but was suspended for not reporting at his new place of posting.

Intriguingly, officials of the Election Department had appreciated him for seizing over Rs 1 crore cash and a large quantity of liquor prior to the elections.

The matter has been brought to the notice of the officials concerned in the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, and the District Election Officer, Mohali. Sources in the Election Department revealed that though the CEO had categorically stayed all transfer orders (issued with effect from December 24, 2011) that had been issued without its permission. But a senior official in the Punjab Police headquarters transferred the SI through orders issued on January 25, a few days ahead of the January 30 elections. “The orders issued without clearance of the Election Commission are in violation of the instructions. It is a serious misconduct,” said a senior official.

The senior official in the police headquarters issued the transfer orders without verifying whether the policeman was on election duty and then suspended him for disobeying the transfer orders. Being on election duty, the SI was not relieved from duty by District Election Office.

District Electoral Officer Varun Roojam confirmed the suspension. “The SI was on election duty and as such he could not be transferred. He has done a commendable job while on duty,” he said. The SI was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.

Sources said after strict instructions were issued for checking all vehicles, the police department started checking each and every vehicle entering the district. As a result, there was large seizure of cash and liquor.