Ranchi, Apr 2 (IANS): The Jharkhand government on Tuesday shifted the Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Special Branch to New Delhi at the direction of the Election Commission of India (EC).

The state government issued the notification regarding removal of the ADG following the Election Commission on Monday ordering the transfer of senior IPS officer Anurag Gupta posted as ADG Special branch.

The EC has directed Gupta to report to the Resident Commissioner Jharkhand at New Delhi by 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The poll panel has also made it clear that he should not be allowed any leave or given any duty which entails visiting Jharkhand, till the completion of the election process.

The opposition parties had written to the EC seeking the police officer's removal. The opposition parties had also submitted memoranda in this regard to the Chief Electoral Officer of the state. Many senior leaders of the Congress party had also met the Chief Election Commissioner in New Delhi and demanded Gupta's removal from his post.

Anurag Gupta is facing an FIR in connection with the 2016 Rajya Sabha elections. On March 29, 2018, an FIR was registered against Gupta under sections 171(B)(E), 171(C)(F) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for interference in the election process, misuse of official position, breach of conduct and service rules, while disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him.