‘Mahabole got another post, not transferred’

Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Anil Mahabole was not “transferred” from his present posting, but “attached” to another post on administrative grounds, police commissioner Arup Patnaik said on Tuesday.

Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Anil Mahabole was not “transferred” from his present posting, but “attached” to another post on administrative grounds, police commissioner Arup Patnaik said on Tuesday.

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Patnaik was reacting to questions that Mahabole had been ‘transferred” from his posting as ACP, Azad Maidan division to the Local Arms Control Room after his name reportedly surfaced during the investigation into the murder of journalist J Dey.

“He has been attached to another office on administrative grounds as there were allegations made by journalist Tarakant Dwivedi (Akela) of lathi-charge and intimidation. This was only about a posting here and there and is not related to the murder case. Had Mahabole’s name cropped up in the investigation, wouldn’t he have been questioned by now?” Asked what was the need to shift Mahabole now if the police did not suspect his role in the murder, Patnaik said, “As of now, Mahabole is not connected with the journalist’s murder.”

Sources in the home department told HT that as per the state government’s rules, for the transfer of an officer of Mahabole’s rank (ACP), the chief minister’s assent is required after the May 31 deadline (for transfers). That is why Mahabole’s shunting from one post to another cannot be termed a “transfer” at the moment but “attachment” as the order lacks the CM’s signature.