Congress 'rattled' by poll panel move to transfer IPS officer: Sukhbir

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed on Wednesday that the Congress was "rattled" by the Election Commission's move to transfer Inspector General of Police (Crime) Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh as the ruling party "wanted to vitiate atmosphere" during elections by "using" him.

Badal asked the Congress why it was so much "hurt" with the poll panel's decision to divest the officer of his charges.

"They (Congress) are rattled as the EC has come to know that they wanted to use this officer in order to vitiate the atmosphere in election. They are now scared. Therefore, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Congress coming out in support of the IPS officer proves that Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh is their agent," alleged Sukhbir.

"We objected...as he (the IPS officer) was acting as Congress agent. We have even given proof to the EC to show he was acting at the behest of the Congress," Badal told reporters in Sanaur in Patiala after holding an election rally.

Following a complaint lodged by the Akali Dal against the IPS officer, the EC had directed the Punjab government to divest him of his present post for "violating" the model code of conduct.

He was divested of his charge of SIT member as well as IGP (Crime) and additional charge of the organised crime control unit (OCCU).

The IPS officer was also a member of the Special Investigation Team probing the 2015 sacrilege and police firing incidents.

The Congress and the AAP has raised objection the poll panel's decision.