AGARTALA, Oct 17 - Taking serious note of the �failure� of Tripura Police to arrest Deputy Leader of Opposition and former PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury, who is facing charges in a major scam, the State Government today effected a major shake-up in the police administration, taking strict action against two senior police officers.
The Government has suspended the SP (West) Ajit Pratap Singh and shifted DIG (Southern Range) Arindam Nath to the State police headquarters without assigning him any portfolio. Some changes have also been made in the team investigating the case, sources said.
The Government is seeking police custody of the former PWD Minister after a case was filed at the West Agartala Police Station by the Vigilance Wing on his alleged involvement in irregularities to the tune of Rs 600 crore in the PWD.
Chowdhury had sought an anticipatory bail on October 14 by moving a petition in the District and Sessions court. However, the plea came up for hearing again today and Chowdhury was denied confirmation of his anticipatory bail, clearing the decks for his arrest.
Police and paramilitary personnel led by State DGP AK Shukla, DIG Arindam Nath and SP (West) Ajit Pratap Singh went all out to nab Chowdhury and even searched the State CPI (M) headquarters twice on Thursday. Police teams also searched the office premises of Daily Desher Katha, the mouthpiece of the CPI (M) in the wee hours today.
Sources said that Chowdhury, who has been absconding since his pre-arrest bail petition was rejected on Thursday, was likely to approach the High Court.
Meanwhile, State CPI (M) secretary Gautam Das today alleged that the move to arrest Chowdhury is aimed at defaming the Left Front Government�s good work in its 25-year tenure in Tripura.
