Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India has suspended senior IPS officer and Special Secretary to Chief Minister, D. S. Kuttey for unduly interfering in the conduct of election.
ECI Secretary Rakesh Kumar has issued an order to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) N B Dhal in this regard today.
The suspension was made as per the communication of CEO Odisha, who has made certain averments indicating undue influence being exercised by Shri Kutey, IPS, working as Special Secretary Chief Minister’s Office and Ashish Kumar Singh, IG (CM Security) on officers directly connected with conduct of election work. This was further corroborated by various other inputs received from the field from time to time, the ECI said in its order.
In view of the foregoing, the Commission has given following direction in view of curbing undue influence on the election machinery and maintaining the level playing field and fairness in the electoral process:
Expeditious investigation under due process of law shall continue unhindered in the case registered against Prashant Jagdev (MLA candidate) for damaging EVM in a polling booth, it said.
“D.S. Kutey, IPS (RR:1997), Special Secretary to CM be placed under suspension under relevant service rules for unduly interfering in conduct of election. His headquarter is fixed at the Office of Resident Commissioner Odisha, New Delhi where he shall report by 3 PM on 29 May 2024,” directed the Commission.
Further, the CEO has been asked to provide to the Chief Secretary draft of the charge sheet to be issued to Shri Kutey. The Chief Secretary shall arrange to issue a charge sheet by competent authority under relevant service rules, not later than by 5 PM of May 30, 2024.
Ashish Kumar Singh, who is on medical leave since May 4, 2024, has been directed to present himself for detailed medical examination by a special medical board constituted by Director AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, not later than May 30, 2024.
The Chief Electoral Officer will coordinate to ensure that Director AIIMS Bhubaneswar constitutes a special medical board to ascertain illness and treatment being undergone. Report on this shall reach the Commission latest by May 31, 2024.