Bihar’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gupteshwar Pandey who took voluntary retirement (VRS) has clarified that he has not joined any political party as of now, nor does he plan to enter politics. Pandey, a 1987 batch IPS officer was due for retirement in February next year,ie.2021 and was in news in recent times for his representation in Sushant Singh Rajput case on behalf of the Bihar Government, now taken over by central agencies. His present move and Media appearances are being seen as sending feelers to the ruling alliance in Bihar for a party ticket in the coming Bihar elections.
While addressing the media, the former DGP further said that his VRS was not linked to Sushant’s case. He said the Supreme Court approved the FIR filed by the Bihar police, hence there was nothing illegal in its actions. The former DGP said that he investigated the SSR case, for Bihar’s prestige and even though he is not a DGP anymore, he is connected with lakhs of people in every village of the state, and will inform the people about his next course of action.
Earlier, Pandey’s request seeking voluntary retirement was approved by Governor Phagu Chauhan, a notification issued by the state home department said. Incidentally, it is being believed in political and bureaucratic circles, as per our reliable sources that the ex-DGP Pandey has always nurtured political dreams. Earlier in 2009 too, Gupteshwar Pandey had opted for Voluntary retirement to contest the Lok Sabha elections, but when he failed to get a ticket he rejoined his services after few months.
Not surprisingly enough, he is exempted from the mandatory three-month notice-period for his VRS by the Government. The Bihar Government has accepted his VRS request with immediate effect. This is something which was evident from Pandey’s media statements in the backdrop of SSR death case.
Mr. Pandey is very likely to contest upcoming state assembly elections as a ruling NDA candidate either from Buxar or Shahpur assembly constituency.
