ECI Suspends Special Secretary to Odisha CM for Election Interference

Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended DS Kutey, Special Secretary of the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), for exercising undue influence on the election machinery. This decisive action comes amid ongoing investigations into election conduct irregularities.

In an official order addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, the ECI mandated the immediate suspension of IPS officer DS Kutey for his undue interference in the electoral process. The suspension aims to ensure the integrity and fairness of the elections in Odisha.

The ECI’s order also includes directives for IG (CM Security) Ashish Kumar Singh, who has been on medical leave since May 4. Singh is required to undergo a detailed medical examination by a special medical board constituted by the Director of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

“The CEO Odisha, in his communication on May 27, indicated undue influence being exercised by Kutey and Singh on officers directly involved in the election process. This was corroborated by various other inputs from the field,” the ECI stated.

“Kutey should be placed under suspension for unduly interfering in the conduct of the election. His headquarters is fixed at the Office of the Resident Commissioner of Odisha in New Delhi, where he is to report by 3 PM on May 29. The CEO will provide a draft of the charge sheet to be issued to Kutey to the Chief Secretary of Odisha by 5 PM on May 30,” the order stated.

Additionally, the ECI directed IPS officer Singh to present himself for a detailed medical examination by May 30. “The CEO will coordinate to ensure that the Director of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar constitutes a special medical board to ascertain the illness and treatment being undergone. A report in this regard should reach the Commission by May 31,” the order noted.