Kolkata, Nov 30 (IANS): Siliguri Police Commissioner K. Jayaraman was Saturday removed from his post after he "exceeded his power" and arrested Malda District Magistrate Godala Kiran Kumar in a corruption case, a senior West Bengal government official said.

"Today Siliguri Police Commissionerate arrested Malda DM. We feel the arrest was warranted only if the accused would have tampered with the evidences or absconded, but nothing such was applicable in this case," Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra said announcing the Jayaraman has been asked to hand over his charge.

Kiran Kumar has been accused of siphoning funds from the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) during his tenure as its chief executive officer. He was arrested Saturday under the IPC as well as the Prevention of Corruption Act and presented before a court.

Mitra said Jayaraman exceeded his powers in arresting Kumar as neither the state government was informed nor its permission was sought for the action.

"Procedurally, before taking such a big step, either the permission of the state government is required or at the least it should be informed. But nothing was done in this regard and we feel he (Jayaraman) exceeded his brief and transgressed his powers," said Mitra.

Mitra said Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) Sashi Kant Pujari has now taken over the charge from Jayaraman with Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jalpaiguri) Jawed Shamimslated to take over later in the interim.

While the legal process will continue against Kiran Kumar, Mitra said the State Election Commission will be approached regarding his replacement as the Malda district magistrate, as the electoral process is on in the district.