Ahead of K'taka polls, B'lore police chief transferred

Complying with an Election Commission directive, the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Karnataka today transferred Bangalore Police Commissioner B G Jyothiprakash Mirji ahead of the May 5 assembly elections.

Home Secretary Raghavendra H Auradkar, who was posted in his place,  took over charge on Friday. According to sources, the EC had shot down a panel of three names suggested by the state government and insisted on Auradkar's appointment.

"This order is issued as per the direction of the Election Commission of India for smooth conduct of elections in a free and fair manner," an official notification said.

Soon after taking charge, Auradkar sought cooperation of all including political parties for "free, fair and smooth" conduct of the polls. "Upholding the rule of law will be the main priority," he said.

Mirji said he was neither disappointed nor unhappy as being a government servant, he had assumed and relinquished charge many times during his 37 years service.

On Wednesday, the government had transferred several IPS officers citing similar ground.