On October 12, 2023, the Election Commission of India (ECI) relieved three IPS officers in Rajasthan from the charge of their respective posts. The three officers are:
Karan Sharma, SP, Bhiwadi, Khairthal-Tijara
Sudhir Chaudhary, SP, Hanumangarh
Rajesh Kumar Meena, SP, Churu
The ECI’s action came after it received complaints of negligence in election preparations from the three districts. The ECI found that the three officers had failed to properly implement the ECI’s guidelines on election preparations, such as the preparation of electoral rolls, the deployment of security personnel, and the setup of polling stations.
The ECI has ordered the Rajasthan government to transfer the three officers to posts that are not related to election duty. The government has also been asked to submit a report to the ECI within a week on the steps it has taken to address the negligence in election preparations in the three districts.
The ECI’s action is a reminder that it is taking a very serious view of any negligence in election preparations. The ECI is committed to ensuring that the upcoming elections in Rajasthan are conducted in a free, fair, and impartial manner.
It is important to note that the three officers have not been suspended or dismissed. They have simply been relieved from their current posts and transferred to other posts. The officers may still be able to return to their current posts after the elections are over.
