Almost two months on, the case of assault on Professor H S Sabharwal still haunts the State BJP Government, which has faced a lot of flak over the matter from all quarters, including the media.
The sudden move to transfer Joint Director Public Relations Ashok Mishra is being viewed in local circles as the fallout of his alleged failure to properly manage media coverage of the issue.
Mishra himself is also not ruling out the possibility of the Sabharwal incident being behind his transfer. Although he evaded a direct answer to a query on the issue, saying that the case was sub judice and he would not like to comment on the matter, he added that the there was a feeling among the officials and other staff that this was so.
Sources said some of BJP leaders here were annoyed with Mishra, as the party had to face sharp criticism of media over influencing the investigation in the assault case.
Mishra, who has been transferred to Rewa last week, has filed objection against the orders before the Chief Secretary. He told the Hindustan Times that the bid to shift him was clearly a violation of transfer policy declared by the State Government on May 15, 2006.
{{/usCountry}}Mishra, who has been transferred to Rewa last week, has filed objection against the orders before the Chief Secretary. He told the Hindustan Times that the bid to shift him was clearly a violation of transfer policy declared by the State Government on May 15, 2006.
{{/usCountry}}Accordingly, no transfer should have been done after July 10 unless in compliance with court orders or in case of promotion, deputation or filling of vacant posts. ‘‘My transfer does not come under any of these criteria,’’ he said.
Perturbed over the transfer, Mishra has come in open against his own department and alleged that this was a desperate attempt to put him and his family under problems. “Some people in the State Government want to create problems for me,” he alleged.
Mishra said he has been transferred to Rewa, where there is no post of joint director. “At least 8-9 JD rank officials are available at the directorate who have been continuing at Bhopal for the last several years, they should be sent to other places,” Mishra felt.