The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked the Odisha government to take action against senior IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh for providing the ECI with misinformation (misrepresentation of facts) about his health.

Singh initially served as the inspector-general of police (IG-Central Range). However, the EC upon receiving reports of his unwarranted involvement in the election process, directed the Odisha government to transfer him. He was then posted as inspector- general of the chief minister’s security. Despite being on medical leave from May 4, complaints about his interference continued.

The ECI asked the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, to hold a medical examination of Singh’s health. A special committee was constituted under AIIMS executive director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas to conduct the medical examination to ascertain the officer’s illness and treatment.

The ECI report said: “After pursuing the report of the Special Medical Board, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar declaring Ashish Kumar Singh, IPS physically fit and mentally fit, the commission, prima facie, found it a case of misrepresentation of facts on the part of Sri Ashish Kumar Singh, IPS...”

The ECI on May 28 also suspended IPS officer D.S. Kutey for “interfering” in the election conduction. The suspension was later revoked.