More than political leaders, it is the police officials who have been raking up controversies during the election campaign. Two officers of the rank of additional director general have come under the Election Commission scanner, besides about a dozen other officers.
ADGP Muhammad Mustafa, whose wife Razia Sultana is contesting election on a Congress ticket from Malerkotla, has been asked to cancel his leave and join duty. Mustafa has been accused of fomenting communal tension while canvassing for his wife.
The Election Commission has asked Sumedh Saini, who heads the Vigilance Bureau, to explain his conduct following charges that Vigilance Bureau vehicles had been used for transporting money to political leaders. Congress leader Amarinder Singh had accused the ADGP rank officer of showing favour to SAD candidates. In his reply, Saini rebutted the allegations saying they were politically-motivated because he had been investigating charges of corruption against the former CM.
Earlier, the EC transferred Punjab Police Service officer MS Mand, SP, from Ludhiana to Uttarakhand. On Tuesday the EC withdrew the police security cover of former DGP PS Gill, who is contesting on the Akali Dal ticket from Moga.
Meanwhile, the Akali Dal has sought EC action against Harmanbir Singh, commandant, Indian Reserve Battalion-Ludhiana, for helping his brother Jasbir Singh Dimpa who is a Congress candidate in Amritsar. It said the SP had been seen campaigning with officials of his battalion. Besides, DSP Narlaip Singh, cousin of Jasbir Dimpa, has been accused of intimidating voters.
A senior official in the Election department confirmed that 16 IPS officers, who have come from outside Punjab, are entrusted with the task of keeping a close watch on the conduct of the state police officers and their involvement in the election campaign.
