Kolkata top cop moved to CID
In a shuffle of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers ahead of the 2019 general elections, the West Bengal government Tuesday replaced Rajeev Kumar as Kolkata police commissioner, appointing Anuj Sharma in his place.
The 53-year-old Kumar, who was recently in the centre of a controversy after chief minister Mamata Banerjee sat on dharna to protest his questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the Saradha scam, is a 1989-batch IPS officer.
Kumar, who has completed three years as Kolkata’s top cop, was appointed additional director-general and inspector-general of police, criminal investigation department, a state government notification said. The transfer is in line with Election Commission guidelines that Indian Administrative Service and IPS officers who have completed three years in one post should be transferred before an election.
Kumar formally took over as Kolkata police commissioner on May 21, 2016, which means that by May 31, 2019, the cut-off date for constitution of the new Lok Sabha, he would have crossed the EC’s three-year deadline.
Anuj Sharma, who was additional director-general (law and order), has “assumed his new responsibilities” as Kolkata police commissioner. Sharma’s appointment was criticised by leaders of opposition parties.
“Anuj Sharma, too, is extremely close to the CM. We will bring this to the notice of the EC and push for his removal,” said Dilip Ghosh, president of BJP Bengal unit.
Congress MLA Abdul Mannan said, “We will be happy if the poll panel removes Anuj Sharma. However, we won’t proactively move the EC.”
Mohammed Salim, CPI(M) MP, alleged that the IPS shuffle does not make any difference since “the new chief is as much a yes-man as his predecessor.”