EC transfers Chennai Police chief S George ahead of RK Nagar bypolls

Chennai:  Following the orders of the Election Commission, the Tamil Nadu government has transferred Greater Chennai Police Commissioner S George. 

Orders in this connection were issued by Home Secretary Niranjan Mardi on Friday night.   

Karan Singha, Additional Director General of Police, Crime Branch CID, will be the new Commissioner of Greater Chennai Police. 

After the announcement of the by-election to RK Nagar, the DMK had submitted a representation to the Election Commission seeking the transfer of Returning Officer for the by-election and the City Police Commissioner, to ensure free and fair elections.

The bypoll to the prestigious RK Nagar constituency is scheduled for April 12. It was necessitated following the demise of then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016.

The DMK, in its petition to the EC, had said that George could influence polling in favour of the ruling government. 

They had requested for him to be transferred out to ensure a free and fair bypoll. Taking cognisance of the petition, the EC transferred George out of the post.