Srinagar, August 9 : Basant Rath, an IPS officer from the AGMUT cadre, has been compelled to take premature retirement following an evaluation by the Ministry of Home Affairs that determined him unsuitable for his position.

Rath, who held the position of IGP, Traffic in 2018, has recently garnered negative attention. According to a memorandum issued on August 7 by Director Sushma Chauhan in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), “… the officer is not deemed fit to continue in service in the public interest.”

The concerning episode in Rath’s recent history centers around his persistent smear campaign against DGP Dilbag Singh. Singh, a prominent and well-regarded figure, played a crucial role in maintaining order during the intricate circumstances surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K. His tenure was characterized by a resolute commitment to reestablishing peace in the region amidst numerous challenges, officials stated. However, Rath’s contributions took a negative turn as he abandoned constructive dialogue in favor of mudslinging and unprofessional behavior, as per officials.

“Through the use of social media and videos, Rath propagated unverified allegations against DGP Dilbag Singh, employing inappropriate language and inflammatory rhetoric,” the officials further elaborated.