In a move that surprised many, Sadanand Date who has been working as the SSP Dehradun for around 15 months has been shifted to police headquarters with Sweety Aggarwal, SSP of Nainital, being brought here to replace Date. Observers say that it was an ill-conceived move, given the fact that Date has reined in crimes in the district. Besides, it is ill-timed too with the election being round the corner. This is why the move is doubly surprising, they say.
Speculations are swirling in the police circles over an influential minister having pulled the strings to have the transfers approved. “We know how things have happened. But it is a bad move that would tell upon the efficiency of the force at a time when we need to gear up for an exciting election that is approaching fast,” said a senior cop on strict condition of anonymity.
The transfer seems to contradict the confidence expressed by the state police chief MA Ganapathy. He had said on many occasions that Dehradun SSP Date was working efficiently while scotching speculations over his being shunted. Names of two IPSs- Sweety Aggarwal and Nilesh Anand Bharne- were doing the rounds as a possible successor to Date. A 2006 batch IPS officer Sweety Aggarwal had earlier worked as ASP traffic, Dehradun; SP vigilance, Dehradun; commandant, 31st battalion PAC; Haridwar SSP; Nainital SSP and assistant to DGP, PHQ. Aggarwal assumed charge of SSP Dehradun on Thursday evening.