EC transfers cop for arresting Cong leader
The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday ordered the removal of superintendent of police of Telangana’s Vikarabad district over the arrest of Congress’ A Revanth Reddy as the police observer found his detention “unwarranted”.
An official communication issued by Telangana chief electoral officer Rajath Kumar in Hyderabad said, “The Election Commission of India has ordered the transfer of T Anna- purna, IPS, SP Vikarabad, immediately and posted Sri Avinash Mohanthy IPS (RR 2005) in place of her with immediate effect.” It is also directed that Annapurna’s services are not utilised for election purpose, the order said.
The commission has also directed Annapurna to be attached to the police headquarters, an EC functionary said in New Delhi.
Observers are deployed by the EC to keep an eye on various issues related to elections.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the Vikarabad police had taken Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee working president Revanth Reddy into preventive custody, citing law and order issues. Reddy’s arrest came ahead of chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s meeting at Kodangal. Reddy had declared a bandh in Kodangal and asked party workers to stage protests across the constituency against the visit of the chief minister.
He was let off, but only after Rao’s meeting in the assembly segment got over. Condemning the police action, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government resorted to it “due to fear of defeat.” Telangana goes to polls on December 7, and votes will be counted on December 11.
NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD: