EC orders state govt to transfer Moradabad SSP ahead of bypolls

The Election Commission Saturday directed the UP government to remove Moradabad SSP Dharamveer Yadav and replace him with Luv Kumar, Commandant of 35th battalion PAC. Bypolls in Moradabad district’s Thakurdwara Assembly constituency will be held on September 13.

The commission ordered transfer of Yadav four days after state BJP chief Lax-mikant Bajpai demanded the officer’s removal, accusing him of working as “an agent of the ruling SP”. Bajpai had demanded that all station officers posted by the SSP at police stations under Thakurdwara be removed, although the EC is yet to act on this.

Bajpai cited Kaanth incident where the removal of a loudspeaker had led to a clash between BJP workers and the police.