Kiran Bedi shifted to Delhi
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 18 — The ongoing controversy between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr Kiran Bedi, and the Chandigarh Administration ended in a terse four-line transfer order for the IGP, who was shifted to Delhi, this afternoon.

Dr Bedi's-44 day long — the shortest in her 27 years career as an IPS official — tenure ended after a request from her side to shift her from Chandigarh.

Later in the evening, Dr Bedi told mediapersons that she had sought the transfer due to strong personal reasons. "You can read about the reasons in the updated version of my biography that will have a full chapter on my short tenure in Chandigarh," the outgoing IGP said while refusing to elaborate on the personal reasons that forced her to seek a transfer.

The order of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that arrived here around 3 pm placed her at the disposal of the Delhi Government. She has been replaced by Mr S.K. Singh, posted as Joint Commissioner, Vigilance, Delhi. In the order, the MHA asked, Dr Bedi to hand over charge to the seniormost SSP in Chandigarh . In this case, Mr Asad Farooqui, SSP, Anti-Terrorist Cell, an IPS official of the 1979 batch, will tack over charge as IGP.

Later while talking to newsmen Dr Bedi said: "I have no regrets for my actions or for exercising my responsibilities." However, she said that "one has to move forward. Tomorrow is another day" when asked if she would take up the issue of "interference" with higher authorities at a later stage. "I am leaving tomorrow morning for Delhi to join duty and then apply for leave to attend to my ailing mother, who has been admitted to the PGI.

As far as the police force is concerned this is the most rewarding experience in the shortest possible time. Crime prevention was better and police-community relations were improving. Dr Bedi said "I cannot set the programmes for my successor", while replying to a question if the schemes started by her would be run in the same manner. The force deserves a functional head, Dr Bedi said adding that the police rules, if followed, provide for fair autonomy.

Asked about her feelings after this episode Dr Bedi commented: "I think it is going to be difficult for straightforward police functioning and delivering justice to the common people." The task will become more and more difficult for the overall policing. Dr Bedi expressed optimism saying "I do believe that in future there will be no interference in Chandigarh Police functioning as is the case now. Such things will be a matter of the past."

The controversy had broken out on May 6 when the Home Department ordered the suspension of two DSPs, an inspector and two other cops after they were allegedly found guilty of their involvement in the case of missing murder files. An enquiry headed by the legal remembrancer had been conducted. The IGP sought time from the UT Administrator, Lieut Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd) to present the police side of the story.

The same night the Administrator after listening to Dr Kiran Bedi decided to carry on with the suspensions. Dr Bedi alleged that the Home Department had been interfering with police functioning for long and was quoted in newspapers of having said the suspended officials were on leave and were not on suspension.

A major controversy broke out between the Administration on one side and the IGP on the other, with local newspapers highlighting each quote from both sides.

SK Singh is new UT IGP

NEW DELHI, May 18 — Mr S K Singh was today appointed Inspector General of Police, Chandigarh. He was a lecturer at Banaras Hindu University before joining the Indian Police Service in 1970.

Mr S K Singh talking to The Tribune said he would set his priorities for the Union Territory after studying the ground reality.

Asked to comment on the new assignment, Mr Singh said: "Everything is by God's grace and I have strong conviction in the Almighty."

He said he would take over the new assignment in the first week of June.

Mr Singh, who is currently posted as the Joint Commissioner of Police (Vigilance and Media) in the Delhi police, had frequented Mohali during his tenure with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) "to visit some establishments."

He worked as Deputy Commissioner of Police in West district and North district in Delhi before being posted to Mizoram as Superintendent of Police. He was then posted as Senior Superintendent of Police in Pondicherry.

Mr Singh has also worked as the Director, Vigilance, in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

He was on central deputation for five years with the CISF from where he returned to the Delhi police as Joint Commissioner of Police.

Hailing from Azamgarh in UP, Mr Singh did his Masters in English from BHU.

Anuradha Gupta transferred

CHANDIGARH, May 18 (UNI) — In a sudden move, the Union Home Ministry today transferred Chandigarh Union Territory Home Secretary Anuradha Gupta with immediate effect.

Official sources said here that Haryana Food and Supplies Director N.K. Jain had been appointed new Home Secretary vice Mrs Gupta.