A senior police official in Jharkhand has been served a notice for contesting without permission a cricket body election in which he defeated the state's home minister - his political boss.
Amitabh Chaudhary, inspector general (human rights), fought and won the election for the post of president of Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) on May 14, defeating home minister Sudesh Mahto.
Of the total 955 voters in the body, 700 cast their ballots. While Chaudhury got 400 votes, Mahto managed only 299 votes.
The state government then served a notice to Chaudhary within 24 hours of the election results asking him to explain as to who permitted him to contest the election.
"According to service code, civil servants should seek permission before fighting such elections," said an official of the home department that served the notice. The state government was awaiting Chaudhary's reply.
"Chaudhary had fought elections and won twice before. This is his third successive victory. But no such questions were raised on the last two occasions. It is nothing but a political move," said an office-bearer of the cricket association who did not want to be named.