Special Secretary to the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), DS Kutey, has been suspended by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in an effort to “curb undue influence on the election machinery and maintain the level playing field and fairness in the electoral process.”
In addition, Ashish Kumar Singh, IG (CM Security), who has been on medical leave since May 4, 2024, has been ordered to undergo a thorough medical examination by the ECI.
In a letter released today, ECI said that the CEO of Odisha had made some allegations suggesting that the aforementioned officers were acting improperly in relation to their work on election matters. Other information that was periodically received from the field served as additional confirmation of this.
“D.S. Kutey, IPS (RR:1997), Special Secretary to the CM, shall be suspended in accordance with applicable service regulations for excessively meddling in the conduct of elections. He will report by 3:00 pm on May 29, 2024, to the Office of Resident Commissioner Odisha, New Delhi, which is his designated headquarters. The draft charge sheet that will be sent to Shri D. S. Kutey will be given by the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha to the Chief Secretary of Odisha. The ECI letter stated, “Odisha’s Chief Secretary shall arrange to issue charge sheet by competent authority under relevant service rules, not later than by 5:00 pm of May 30, 2024.”
The BJP has accused Kutey.
On April 8, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was allegedly being assisted by DS Kutey, an IPS officer, who was staying at the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). A Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) complaint was filed by a BJP delegation. The BJP previously claimed that even though the Election Commission of India (ECI) had prohibited the IPS officer from participating in elections, he had been appointed as the special secretary at the CMO and was handling numerous tasks for the ruling party through the SPs and IICs of different police stations.
The BJP demanded that the IPS’s cellphones be taken immediately and that the call detail record (CDR) be retrieved, accusing him of working for the BJD.
Ashish Singh, IG (CM Security), is scheduled for a medical examination.
“Shri Ashish Kumar Singh IPS(RR:2010), IG (CM Security), being on medical leave since May 4th, 2024, be present himself for detailed medical examination by a special medical board constituted by Director AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, not later than May 30th, 2024,” the ECI order regarding Ashish Kumar Singh stated. The Chief Electoral Officer will arrange for the Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar to form a special medical board in order to determine the nature of the illness and the course of treatment being received. The Commission must receive a report on this by no later than May 31, 2024.”
