With the transfer of ADGP Rishi Raj Singh and a photograph during a Kerala Police Academy function at Thrissur going viral on social media, both Mr. Singh and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala have come out with clarifications on the issues on Saturday.
Mr. Chennithala posted on Facebook that both controversies were baseless and unnecessary. Mr. Singh had been posted as ADGP, Armed Police Battalion, because he was willing to return to the Police Department. Stating that Mr. Singh was an officer known for his efficiency and honesty, the Home Minister also said that the controversy over a photograph from a function at the Kerala Police Academy, Thrissur, which showed Mr. Singh sitting as Mr. Chennithala reached the venue, was baseless.
Mr. Singh, meanwhile, said the transfer was with his concurrence. “The government had enquired whether I was willing to return to the Police Department, and I said yes. The government also held consultations with the Electricity Minister before issuing the transfer order,” he told The Hindu .
As for reports that he was removed from the post of Chief Vigilance Officer, KSEB, after cracking down on a major business group’s power theft, Mr. Singh pointed out that the said crackdown had happened more than 10 months ago, when he had just took over as the CVO, and that it had nothing to do with the transfer now.
Facebook had several posts, which linked both and said that Mr. Singh was removed because of the action on the business group.
Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan too had come out demanding that Mr. Singh be reinstated as KSEB CVO.
Mr. Singh’s Facebook post said, “WhatsApp and Facebook are carrying news about me not standing while the honourable Home Minister was going to take salute at the Police Academy, Thrissur this morning. This news is baseless. As per protocol, those sitting in the gallery for watching the parade are supposed to stand only when the national anthem is played. Otherwise all are supposed to sit till the VVIP leaves.”
