Bhubaneswar, July 11: The newly elected BJP government in Odisha on Thursday transferred IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh, who was considered close to the BJD leadership, to the Home Department as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

“Ashish Kumar Singh, IPS, (RR-2004), IGP, CM (security) is transferred and posted as OSD, Home Department with immediate effect," an official notification said.

The development comes a day after the transfer of several senior IAS officers, including G Mathivathanan and R Vineel Krishna who were known to be close to bureucrat-turned BJD leader V K Pandian, the aide of former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik.

also Read: BJP Govt In Odisha Effects First Major IAS Reshuffle

Earlier on April 2, the Election Commission transferred eight senior IAS and IPS officers, including Singh to non-election duties following a complaint by Odisha BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the state.

As per the order, Singh was transferred and posted as IG, Chief Minister’s security. Later, the BJP had complained to the EC, alleging that the IPS officer “continued to work in favour of the BJD”.

The EC had, in May, suspended Singh along with another IPS officer D S Kutey, who was serving as special secretary to CM, for “unduly interfering in the conduct of elections”.

The EC had also directed Singh to be present for a detailed medical examination before a board constituted by the director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar as he was on medical leave for a long time.

Also Read: Election Commission Orders Action Against Odisha IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh

Last month, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recommended appropriate action against Odisha's IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh for “misrepresentation of fact” about his health condition.

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