Bhubaneswar: Odisha DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi on Friday stated that IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh resumed his duties as DIG, Special Intelligence Wing, on June 3, after completing a sanctioned leave from May 4 to June 2.
Responding to media queries about the Home Department’s letter seeking information about the leave of IPS Ashish Kumar Singh, the Police DG said, “He had officially rejoined duty on June 3… The joining report is a standard procedure which should have been forwarded to the Home Department… I will investigate why this was not done,”
Sarangi also mentioned that IPS Ashish K Singh participated in two departmental meetings before the Rath Yatra preparatory meeting. “He was present at the meeting concerning new criminal laws as well,” DGP Sarangi added.
On Thursday OSD-cum-Additional Secretary of Home Department Muralidhar Mallik wrote a letter to Odisha DGP seeking information regarding leave availed by IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh. The home department said that they were yet to receive any communication about whether IPS Ashish Kumar Singh has joined the work or extended his leave period.
Notably, Singh attended the Rath Yatra coordination meeting on June 26, yet the department’s correspondence suggested unawareness of his presence.
Singh was granted a month’s earned leave from May 4 to June 2 for health reasons. Later, the Election Commission of India (ECI) suggested disciplinary action against the senior IPS officer for alleged misrepresentation of his health status.
Furthermore, a special medical board at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, assessed IPS Ashish Singh as physically and mentally fit, following the commission’s directive.
Also Read: Has IPS Ashish Kumar Singh Resumed Duty Or Extended Leave? Odisha Home Dept Seek Info From DGP
Also Read: ECI Revokes Suspension Of D.S. Kutey, Directs Action Against Ashish Singh
