Transferred IG did not breach model code of conduct: Pb CM

The Punjab government Wednesday said there was no "breach" of the model code of conduct by IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh in giving an interview to the media which the EC had described as "politically motivated", leading to his transfer.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh wrote to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora seeking a review of the EC order relieving the Inspector General as member of the SIT, probing the sacrilege and police firing incidents.

Following a complaint lodged by the Akali Dal against the IPS officer, the ECI had directed the Punjab government to divest him of his present post for "violating" the MCC. Singh has now been posted as IG Counter Intelligence (Amritsar).

Asserting that there was nothing untoward or unusual about an investigating agency/team communicating with the press, Amarinder Singh said: "Such briefings/releases by investigating agencies are now a matter of norm and practice in the interest of transparency and public awareness."