Director Security, SP suspended, DM removed over Nandigram incident involving Mamata Banerjee

EC says the decision was taken after studying reports filed by the West Bengal Chief Secretary and special observers

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday said that the Director Security Vivek Sahay and Superintendent of Police of West Bengal’s East Medinipur district Pravin Prakash be suspended over the incident in Nandigram which resulted into Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sustaining injuries. The EC also removed District Magistrate Vibhu Goyal and transferred him to a post not related to conducting elections.

The EC said in a statement that the decision was taken after studying the reports filed by the West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapon Bandyopadhyay and the special observers who based their reports on those filed by the DM and SP of Purba Medinipur and the returning officer in the Nandigram Assembly seat.

“Shri Vivek Sahay IPS, Director Security shall be removed from the post of the Director Security and be placed under suspension immediately. The charges must be framed against him within a week for grossly failing in discharge of his primary duty as Director Security to protect the Z+ protectee,” the EC said in a statement.

It also authorised the Chief Secretary to post a suitable Director Security and send the related order to them by 1 pm on March 15.

Also read: Mamata Banerjee participates in TMC's march on wheelchair

The poll panel also stated that the committee comprising the Chief Secretary and the DGP will identify within three days those personnel working under the Director Security “failed in their duties to prevent the incident and protect the Z+ protectee VVIP” and take action against them.

The EC ordered that IAS Smita Pandey be posted immediately as the DM and DEO of the East Medinipur district in place of Vibhu Goyal who will be transferred to a “non-election” post.

“Mr Pravin Prakash, IPS, SP Purba Medinipur shall also be placed under suspension immediately and charges shall be framed against him for major failure of bandobast. Mr Sunil Kumar Yadav, IPS 2009 be posted immediately as SP Purba Medinipur in place of Mr Pravin Prakash, IPS,” EC stated.

“Chief Secretary shall ensure that the investigation of Nandigram PS Case number 97/21 dated 11-03-2021 is completed and consequential action is taken as per law in next 15 days. Report in this regard shall be sent to the Commission by 31st march 2021,” it added.