The Election Commission of India (ECI) made a significant move ahead of the Lok Sabha polls by appointing IPS officer Vivek Sahay as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal, replacing Rajeev Kumar, who was removed from the position. This decision came just an hour after Kumar’s removal. Additionally, several other officials, including home secretaries and municipal commissioners from various states, were also ordered to be removed by the ECI.
The ECI’s actions are aimed at ensuring a level playing field and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. By appointing new officials, the ECI seeks to instill confidence in the public regarding the fairness of the upcoming elections.
Rajeev Kumar, the former DGP of West Bengal, is a well-known figure in the state’s administrative and law enforcement circles. Having joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1989, Kumar rose through the ranks to become the DGP in December 2023, succeeding Manoj Malaviya upon his retirement. He has held various important positions within the state police, including chief of Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Police, as well as heading the Criminal Investigation Department and Special Task Force. Kumar also served as the principal secretary of the Department of Information Technology and Electronics.
However, Kumar’s tenure as DGP was not without controversy. In 2019, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) accused him of allegedly suppressing and destroying evidence related to the Saradha scam. The CBI conducted searches at his residence in connection with the case, which led to significant political turmoil in West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is known to be close to Kumar, staged a two-day dharna in protest against the CBI’s actions. The situation was eventually resolved after the Supreme Court granted Kumar protection from arrest by the CBI.
The removal of Rajeev Kumar from the position of DGP and the subsequent appointment of Vivek Sahay by the ECI mark a significant development in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections. The ECI’s decision underscores its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process, free from any undue influence or interference.
In addition to Kumar’s removal, the ECI also ordered the removal of home secretaries from several states, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The Brihanmumbai municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, along with additional commissioners and deputy commissioners, were also among those directed to be removed. Furthermore, secretaries of the general administrative departments in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh were included in the list of officials to be removed.
Overall, the ECI’s actions signal its proactive stance in upholding the democratic principles and ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and candidates participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. With the appointment of Vivek Sahay as the new DGP of West Bengal, the ECI aims to reinforce public trust in the electoral process and maintain the integrity of India’s democratic institutions.