Transfer of cops 'ordered' by MP BJP leaders cancelled

A day after a superintendent of police named two top BJP leaders who had recommended the transfer of two constables in Khargone, an embarrassed police department cancelled the transfers.

In the order issued August 30, Khargone superintendent of police NP Warkade had mentioned that head constable Mukesh Yadav was being transferred from Balwara police station to Barwaha police station on the directions of state BJP president Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan.

It added that constable Manish Morchale was being transferred from Khargone to Oon police station on Khargone district in-charge minister Vijay Shah’s recommendation.

Political interference in transfers and postings of government servants is an open secret in the country. But it is perhaps for the first time that anyone has officially named the political bosses who "ordered" the transfers.

The BJP is the ruling party in Madhya Pradesh and Chauhan was recently appointed by the party’s new national president Amit Shah.

Inspector general of police (Indore zone) Vipin Maheshwari said, "The transfer order has been cancelled and I have called for an explanation from the Khargone SP in this regard."

Sources said Warkade might face the axe for his blunder which not only embarrassed his department, but also the state government and the two leaders named in the order.

Reacting to the development, state Congress president Arun Yadav said "the BJP is making money out of transfers".

When contacted for his comments, Chauhan admitted to recommending the transfer, saying the matter pertained to his constituency and that "all MPs and MLAs routinely make such recommendations".

He said the SP should not have written their names in the transfer order.

"I will talk to the SP," said Chauhan, an MP from Khandwa.