Delhi Police transfers Inspector Arun Kumar to IFSO branch after ACP Manasvi Vashisht's suspension

The Delhi Police has transferred Inspector Arun Kumar to its Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) Branch, a day after Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashisht was suspended following a protest by police personnel against the force's leadership over the transfer of the two officers.

Kumar, who was earlier serving as the Station House Officer (SHO) of Shahdara police station, had initially been transferred to the security unit following a confrontation between lawyers and police personnel at the police station on October 23. His latest transfer places him in the IFSO unit, which functions under the Delhi Police's Special Cell and handles cases involving cybercrime, fraud and online threats.

The transfer order was issued by the office of the Delhi Police Commissioner on Wednesday. It directed that the officers concerned be relieved immediately and instructed them to report to their new assignments without delay.

"They should be relieved at once with the direction to join their new assignments and report compliance to this Hdqrs. After relieving the above officers, their ACRs must be recorded/reviewed on the same/next day. DCP concerned should ensure compliance," the order stated.

The directive also asked the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to ensure compliance with the instructions and the timely recording or review of the officers' Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs).

Protest outside Delhi Police headquarters

The latest transfer comes amid growing discontent within the Delhi Police over the action taken against Vashisht and Kumar following the October 23 incident at Shahdara police station.

On Monday, more than 100 police personnel assembled outside the Delhi Police headquarters to protest against the transfers and demand the reinstatement of the two officers to their previous postings.

The protesting personnel sought a meeting with Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar to present their version of the October 23 incident and raise concerns over the action taken against their colleagues.

The protest was led by ACP Manasvi Vashisht, who was subsequently suspended by the authorities. His suspension followed the demonstration in which police personnel questioned the decision to transfer him and Inspector Kumar.

Transfers followed October 23 clash at Shahdara police station

The initial transfers of the two officers were ordered on October 28, following demands by lawyers for action against police personnel allegedly responsible for assaulting advocate Lalit Bansal and the subsequent confrontation at Shahdara police station.

Vashisht, who was serving as the sub-divisional police officer in Gandhi Nagar, was transferred to the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC). Kumar, who was then the SHO of Shahdara police station, was moved to the security unit.

The developments stemmed from an incident on October 23, when advocate Lalit Bansal allegedly sustained a serious head injury during a scuffle inside Shahdara police station.

The incident triggered a confrontation between lawyers and police personnel at the police station, escalating tensions between the two groups. Following the episode, lawyers at the district courts launched an indefinite strike, demanding action against the police officers allegedly involved in the assault.

The lawyers' demands eventually led to the transfer of Vashisht and Kumar, triggering resentment among sections of the police force.

The subsequent protest outside police headquarters highlighted the growing differences within the force over the handling of the incident. With Vashisht's suspension and Kumar's latest transfer to the IFSO branch, the controversy surrounding the October 23 confrontation continues to have repercussions within the Delhi Police.