As soon as he learnt he had hours to hand over the reins to Satyapal Singh, the former CP issued orders for transfer of his trusted subordinates to plum postings
So what was erstwhile Mumbai CP Arup Patnaik’s first instinct after learning of his impending transfer and ‘promotion’?
Caring boss: Hours before his transfer, Arup Patnaik promoted Sanjay Bendale, his bodyguard to the Western Region. file pic
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Believe it or not, he transferred no less than 10 close subordinates to various plum postings, as a parting gift.
The 10 cops include his personal assistants, bodyguard, reader and other working staff.
After Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan signed the order promoting Patnaik to the post of managing director of the Maharashtra State Security Corporation, the news spread like wildfire.
Patnaik immediately transferred his near and dear ones to various coveted postings.
Sanjay Bendale, who was Patnaik’s bodyguard, was transferred to the Western Region, while Shankar Prabhakar Chindakar, who was with Patnaik as a reader, was transferred to the Crime Branch.
“As soon as Patnaik heard about his transfer he passed orders for the transfer of his staff,” said a police officer on condition of anonymity.
“It’s not unusual for senior officers to do this, as the new commissioner is likely to deploy people close to him as his office staff. But Patnaik managed to do it surprisingly quickly.
He had to hand over charge within 24 hours of the order,” said the police officer.
Patnaik showed the transfers as administrative ones.
“Chindakar had great control in deciding which matters would be sent up to the commissioner’s office. It was very difficult for the common man to meet Patnaik as Chindakar used to interfere each time.
Senior police inspectors from different police stations also had to interact most of the time with Chindakar,” said a source.
New CP holds darbar
Meanwhile, the incumbent commissioner Dr Satyapal Singh called a meeting of staff members of the Local Arms (LA) unit at the Naigaum police hall, and met with various constables, police officers to learn about possible problems faced by them and to boost their flagging morale. “Singh even met constabulary staff and heard their problems, promising them that he would come up with some effective solutions,” said a source who was present at the meeting.
2 more arrested for Azad Maidan violence
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested two more rioters — Basinoor Mohammad Khan and Tabrez Sayyed — for causing violence in Azad Maidan on August 11. Khan had allegedly thrown a slipper at a policeman, and his act was captured on camera, helping cops nab him in Govandi. Sayyed on the other hand was allegedly involved in torching media vans.u00a0
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