Fake transfer applications stump prison dept top brass

ADGP Abhash Kumar – who took charge last month – issued an order on Wednesday asking prison staff, to meet him on first Thursday of the month between 10 am and 1pm to air their grievance – after obtaining permission from superiors.

As per the procedure, the transfer request for Grade I and II constables (warders) should be routed through jail superintendents and DIGs to the headquarters. “But the headquarters has been receiving request for transfer through post and couriers without routing it through these officers,” sources said.

An official communication issued from prison headquarters that was accessed by this newspaper showed that the administration has come across such fake requests for transfer, which seems to have been sent to settle scores between employees. It is not clear how many such requests were sanctioned by the administration.

Some transfer requests were found to be from the same person but to different places. Some of them are visibly sent for time-pass, a communication issued by DIG (Administration) said.

Sources added that a few of these requests were found to be drafted in the same handwriting but for different people. It is not clear how many employees were transferred through such requests in the past and if any senior official had benefitted through such action, sources noted. A relook at the transfer orders issued in the past is also not ruled out.

When this mess came to the notice of the senior officers of the department, it was decided that all transfers would be decided only on the basis of seniority. All prison staff were asked to approach through proper channel or meet ADGP on grievance day.