The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed Harish Kumar Gupta of 1992 batch IPS as the new DGP of Andhra Pradesh. The EC ordered him to join duty before 5 PM on Monday.
After the ECI shifted AP DGP KV Rajendranath Reddy on Sunday, it sought a panel of three senior IPS officers in the state and among them it selected the senior-most one.
Presently Harish Kumar Gupta is the Principal Secretary, Home Department. From the very beginning opposition parties are complaining against the DGP Rajendranath Reddy alleging that he was working to benefit the ruling party and if he continues as the police chief it would be difficult to ensure free and fair elections.
After delaying taking action against on these complaints, the ECI acted only a week ahead of the polling. Opposition alleging that he had already prepared police force assignments keeping in view to benefit the ruling party.
It may be recalled that on February 15, 2020, chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy appointed him as in charge DGP ignoring 11 senior IPS officers with the DGP status. He is continuing him without sending a seniors panel to the Union Home Secretary for appointment of regular DGP.
The Union Home Department has repeatedly written letters to send the list with the details of the officers who are eligible for regular DGP selection, but Jagan government kept silent. In the process completely ignoring orders of the Supreme Court regarding the appointment of DGP.
Meanwhile, the ECI also transferred Anantapur DIG Ammireddy and directed the Chief Secretary Jawahar Reddy to kept him away from election- related duties. The ECI has taken this action after conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the opposition’s complaints that DIG Ammireddy was acting in favor of YCP.
Earlier, ECI also shifted Anantapur SP Anburajan and appointed Amit Bardar in his place. So far, 10 IPS officers have been transferred by the Election Commission in Andhra Pradesh, after receiving complaints that they were troubling the opposition in support of the ruling YCP.