Taking serious note of repeated instances of "gross misconduct and misbehaviour" by Basant Rath, an IPS officer of J&K cadre 2000 batch, the Ministry of Home Affairs Wednesday placed him under suspension with immediate effect.
"A disciplinary proceeding against Basant Rath is contemplated in connection with repeated instances of gross misconduct and misbehaviour, which have been brought to the notice of the Government," the ministry said in the statement.
The suspended IPS officer was also directed by the Union Home Ministry to stay put in Jammu till further orders. Rath was also directed to obtain permission from the DGP, J&K police before leaving the headquarters in Jammu.
Earlier, in the last week of June 2020, Rath had filed a written complaint, in his personal capacity and not as a policeman, against Jammu and Kashmir police Chief, Dilbagh Singh, stating that Singh poses a threat to his safety and reputation.
He attracted attention of the local media and netizens,especially from Kashmir valley during his stint as IG, Traffic in Jammu and Kashmir. He was also running a book club and distributed books,free of cost to the needy students and aspirants studying for Union Public Service examination.
He adopted 'unorthodox' means and also invited public wrath while he went around kicking motorbikes parked on the roadside.