Senior Police officer Basant Rath has sought his dismissal from the Indian Police Service. While the government has issued an order to extend his suspension for another six months. 2000 batch IPS Basant Rath is on the post of Inspector General of Police in Jammu and Kashmir but has been suspended for a long time. Incidentally, as soon as the suspension period of Basant Rath was extended, two days after that, a Srinagar court also issued warrants for his arrest.
IPS Basant Rath has today made public , the letter on social media on his handle @KangriCarrier in which he has demanded his own dismissal. According to Mr. Rath , he has e-mailed this letter to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, whose copy has also been sent to the Home Secretary of UT Jammu and Kashmir along with the office of Director General of Police.
In the letter, he has mentioned that he had applied for voluntary retirement (vrs) last year (June/July 2022). Basant Rath, infamous for his unbridled speaking, has written to the Chief Secretary, describing the Chief Secretary of J&K as a ‘ Power – drunk bureaucrat ‘.
Basant Rath writes, ” Typical of power drunk bureaucrats, you didn’t even take my phone calls last year.”
Basant Rath has also mentioned in the letter that he has requested the cabinet secretary of the central government to recommend for his dismissal.
The Home Ministry has issued an order to extend the suspension of Basant Rath from July 31, 2023 to January 27, 2024 i.e. 180 more days. This order has been issued by the President on the recommendation of the Central Review Committee.
Where did it start :
The beginning of the tussle between Basant Rath, who was appointed to the post of Inspector General of Police, and DGP Dilbagh Singh is connected to the incident when Rath filed a complaint in June 2020 at Gandhi Nagar police station in Jammu. In this, Basant Rath had expressed apprehension of threat to his safety and reputation. However, he said that he has made this complaint not as a police officer but as a citizen.
Arrest warrant :
The court of Second Additional Munsif Ahtzaz Ahmed in Srinagar issued bailable arrest warrants against Basant Rath on 2nd August 2023. These warrants have been issued for non-appearance in the case registered under section 506 in 2020 at the Sadar police station in Srinagar.
Controversies:
Earlier in 2018, Basant Rath was transferred from the traffic police to Home Guards and Civil Defence after a social media spat with Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu. However, his deployment in the traffic police was memorable for the people. He used to reach anywhere in plain clothes and that too without any security personnel. Many times he himself took action against offenders. There were incidents of his confrontation with the people on the road as well. . His working style made his image altogether a different kind of police officer. Basant Rath has a good fan following as well as criticism.
Helping hand:
There is one more special thing about IPS Basant Rath. He provides free books, laptops, tabs etc. to the needy and poor students to help them in their studies. . He has a commitment for doing this wonderful work and social service. Although there are many stories behind this noble cause. Basant spent his childhood and youth in poverty. He wants to help people in their struggle for a better future.
