HYDERABAD: Nearly a month after police constable P Muralinath, who was sent to Noida to serve the family of Additional DGP Vivek Dube, died, the State government on Tuesday held the IPS officer indirectly responsible for the death and placed him under suspension pending initiation of disciplinary proceedings.
The government also suspended State Armed Reserve CPL Commandant Abraham Lincoln for deputing Muralinath on official duty by issuing a passport to Dube’s residence on his oral request.
In a GO, the government said that Dube was not empowered to make such oral or written requests to any unit officers knowing that such deputation at the government’s cost was against rules.
‘‘The government has decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Dube who is indirectly responsible for the suspicious death of the constable and also to place him (Dube) under suspension with immediate effect pending initiation of disciplinary proceedings,’’ the GO said.
‘‘Dube shall not leave the headquarters (Hyderabad) without obtaining permission from the government,’’ the GO said. In the case of Abraham Lincoln, the government said deputing a constable on duty at government’s cost to Noida was against the rules and uncalled for. Only a DIG is authorised to depute a cop on duty outside the State. He was also held responsible for Muralinath’s death and placed under suspension.
Dube has been on a forced leave for 40 days and unconfirmed reports suggest that he is currently in Noida.
A 1981 batch IPS officer, Dube won the Indian Police Medal, President’s Police Medal and Police Pathak (Antrik Suraksha Seva Pathak) for distinguished service.
He was heading the Provisions and Logistics (P&L) wing of the AP Police and had been made the chief of anti-terror wing, Octopus.
Following the controversy, he was asked to proceed on leave and his colleague and senior IPS officer Umesh Kumar was made in-charge of P&L and Octopus. Sources said Dube was the third IPS officer from the State to have been suspended. ‘‘A chargememo will be issued to Dube and Abraham Lincoln and a formal inquiry would be ordered.
He will be under suspension till charges are proved or otherwise and this will take some time,’’ a source said.
