IPS officer Ashish Singh appointed as OSD in Home Department

Bhubaneswar, July 11: The Odisha government on Thursday transferred IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh, a 2004-batch officer, and posted him as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Home Department, effective immediately.

This development comes after the Election Commission of India (ECI) directed Singh to undergo a health check-up at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar following complaints from the BJP that he was working in favor of the BJD during polls despite being on sick leave.

The ECI's move was prompted by allegations that Singh was actively involved in political activities while on leave, which he had denied. A six-member board at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar subsequently declared Singh mentally and physically fit, leading the ECI to forward the report to the Chief Secretary for necessary action.

Singh's transfer comes after the Home Department sought his whereabouts on June 27, and Odisha DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi confirmed that Singh had resumed duty in the special intelligence wing on June 3, following his leave from May 4 to June 2. The government's move is seen as a response to the ECI's directive, and it remains to be seen what further action will be taken against Singh.