The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the immediate removal of Acting Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta, citing a history of complaints against him during previous elections. This decision comes as Jharkhand prepares for polls scheduled in two phases on November 13 and 20.
In the interim, the responsibilities of the DGP will be assigned to the senior-most officer at the DGP level within the state. The state government has been instructed to submit a list of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers by October 21, enabling the ECI to appoint a new DGP. A compliance report regarding Gupta’s removal is expected by this evening.
Gupta’s removal is not without precedent. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he was relieved of his duties as Additional Director General (ADG) of the Special Branch after allegations of biased behavior from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Following this, he was reassigned to Delhi and prohibited from returning to Jharkhand until the election process concluded.
In addition, during the 2016 Rajya Sabha elections, Gupta, then serving as an Additional DGP, faced accusations of misusing his authority. A departmental inquiry was initiated after the ECI issued a charge sheet against him.
Currently, the JMM holds the majority in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly with 30 members, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 25 MLAs and Congress has 16.
