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Kiran Bedi transferred back to Delhi

In a sudden move, the Union home ministry today transferred Anuradha Gupta, home secretary of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, and Inspector General of Police Kiran Bedi with immediate effect.

Senior Superintendent of Police S M A Farooqi, an Indian Police Service officer of the 1971 batch, took over from Bedi while Haryana Food and Supplies Director N K Jain has been appointed in Gupta's place.

Bedi has been shifted back to her home state, Delhi. But since the revision of electoral rolls in Chandigarh is in progress, Gupta will continue to hold charge as chief electoral officer and chief vigilance officer of the Chandigarh administration.

The Union home ministry ordered the transfers following a fight between the two officers over the powers of the home secretary and the city police chief. The row erupted after five police personnel, allegedly involved in a murder case in 1983-84, were suspended recently.

Bedi had taken over as IGP only last month.

The home ministry apparently took strong exception to Bedi's stand which "questioned the authority of her seniors in the administration" on the matter.

Bedi had objected to Gupta's "interference" in the functioning of the city police, describing it as a "rape of the police force".

The home ministry is likely to appoint Bedi's successor within a day or two.

Bedi had said she was never consulted before the police officers were suspended and the inquiry was not routed through the IGP's office or the police department.

She had also accused Gupta of ordering the transfers of even constables ''without the knowledge of senior police personnel", saying there were numerous such instances.

The administration, however, claimed to have consulted the police chief and even given a copy of the inquiry report before suspending the personnel.

UNI

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