Jharkhand cop probing poll scandal shielded from transfer

Jharkhand Police chief Rajeev Kumar Thursday said an official involved in investigation of a cash-for-vote scam surrounding the mayor poll here would not be transferred.

P.N. Singh, Ranchi city deputy superintendent of police, investigating the case, was transferred last week when the state government effected a mass transfer of more than 40 deputy superintendents of police.

According to sources, the transfer took place despite reservations of the state election commission.

P.N.Singh was posted in Ranchi eight months ago.

The state police chief said at a press conference here: "He (Singh) has not joined the new posting and he will remain in his current posting and continue to investigate the case."

The state government came under severe criticism after Singh was transferred.

A controversy erupted a day ahead of the mayor poll after police recovered around Rs.22 lakh from a hotel April 7.

Police arrested two people including a Congress leader, and seized the money.

Former mayor Rama Khalko, a candidate for the mayor's post named as accused in the case, surrendered in a Ranchi court last week. Khalko had joined the Congress before the poll.