Election Commission orders immediate removal of Jharkhand’s acting DGP ahead of state polls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has mandated the immediate removal of Anurag Gupta from his position as Acting Director General of Police (DGP) in Jharkhand, a decision made in light of upcoming state assembly elections. Scheduled for November 13 and 20, these elections are crucial for the political landscape of Jharkhand, which has a total of 81 constituencies. The results are expected to be announced on November 23.

Sources within the ECI have indicated that Gupta's removal stems from a documented history of complaints and adverse actions taken against him during previous electoral events. Notably, during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gupta was relieved from his role as Additional Director General (ADG) due to allegations of biased conduct that were deemed detrimental to fair election management. Following those allegations, he was transferred to the Resident Commissioner's Office in Delhi and barred from returning to Jharkhand until the election process was completed.

In addition to the 2019 incident, Gupta has faced scrutiny in other electoral contexts. During the 2016 Biennial Elections to the Council of States, he was accused of misusing his authority as Additional DGP, which led to significant concern regarding his fitness for the role of DGP during elections. Furthermore, a case was registered against him in March 2018 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Jagannathpur Thana, further complicating his professional standing.

The upcoming elections in Jharkhand will see voting divided into two phases, with 43 seats contested in the first phase. The constituencies involved include key areas such as Kodarma, Barkatha, Barhi, Ranchi, and Jamshedpur East. The second phase will cover constituencies like Rajmahal, Borio (ST), Barhait (ST), Dumka (ST), and Jamtara, which also include a mix of general and reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

The ECI's decision to remove Gupta highlights its commitment to maintaining transparency and fairness in the electoral process. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in democratic institutions, especially in a state where political tensions are high.

To comply with the ECI’s directive, the Jharkhand government must appoint a replacement from the senior-most officer at the DGP level within the cadre. The government has been given a deadline to submit a list of eligible candidates by 10:00 AM on Monday, following an immediate enforcement of the order by 7:00 PM on Saturday.