Targeting probe officers for transfers, a worry

By K. T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, JUNE 28. The mass transfer of officers in the rank of inspectors and DSPs in the two specialised units of the State police, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption (DVAC) and CB-CID, after the new Government took over, has caused disappointment among middle-level officers.

The Government has issued orders transferring about 15 inspectors and nine DSPs in the DVAC, based in Chennai and districts, to ``unimportant posts'' at remote and distant stations. Of the nine DSPs, who were shifted, four had been serving in Chennai.

Sources said that while it was the prerogative of the Government to shift officers, what caused concern was that those who investigated cases instituted during the DMK rule were targeted. Almost all shifted officers probed one or the other case which came before the special courts, constituted during the previous rule to try cases registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

The sources explained that usually there were not many takers for postings in the specialised units. Worse still, transfers to some of the wings were considered ``punishment postings''.

With the registration of cases under the PCA, a special measure, the officers and personnel of the specialised units had an onerous task on hand as the offences were allegedly committed by VVIPs and needed a careful investigation for the cases to stand judicial scrutiny. This called for investigation by trained hands.

Apart from the DVAC, some of the officers in the CB-CID who also handled politically sensitive cases, were already shunted out.

As the Government plans to institute similar proceedings against the DMK leaders, investigators feel, care must be bestowed on the selection of officers in finding replacements for the experienced ones.

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Section  : Southern States
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