Bihar Principal Secretary KK Pathak has given a written request for a transfer. (File Photo)
Highlights
- KK Pathak, has been replaced by Home Commissioner Amir Subhani
- Junior Excise officer Deepak Kumar arrested after raiding JD(U) leader
- A probe found that the leader's political rival was his informant
The chief of Bihar's Excise Department, KK Pathak, has been replaced by Home Commissioner Amir Subhani after he sought to be relieved, allegedly in protest against the arrest of a junior officer of his department.
Mr Subhani has been given additional charge of the excise department.
The junior officer, Deepak Kumar, was arrested in Nalanda on September 3.
A magisterial probe had found that on August 29, the officer had conducted a raid on a JD(U) leader, Chandradeo kumar Sen, after receiving information from his political rival. He is now out on bail.
Mr Pathak, however, was unhappy with the arrest, arguing that the JD(U) leader was indeed in possession of liquor and the action against the officer was unwarranted, sources said.
He had proceeded on medical leave soon after the officer's arrest and gave a written request for a transfer, sources said.
The excise and police departments have been in the eye of a storm since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ushered in prohibition at one go earlier this year.
In August, chiefs of 11 police stations were suspended after they were found wanting in the enforcing the ban on alcohol.
As jittery officers refused promotion over the rigors of enforcing prohibition, the Chief Minister declared that anyone who was not willing to work, was "free to quit".
Much cricitism has also been levelled at the new Excise law, which was passed by the state assembly in early August.
With the law including provisions like punishing the entire family of an adult found drinking and severe penalties for policemen found lax in prohibition enforcement, many have called it draconian.