AAP’s Italia, who retired from force in 2015, in police list of constables to be considered for promotion

The official communication of the Ahmedabad City Police – dated September 2, 2024 – was issued by in charge Joint Police Commissioner (Administration) N N Chaudhary on the subject of promoting constables as head constables.

The communication was sent to all deputy commissioners of police and inspectors in the city. It also attached a list of the names of candidates to be considered for promotion, demanding information if any case or inquiry was pending against them.

The communication stated, “Names of police officials in Ahmedabad city who joined by January 11, 2012, are to be considered for promotion.” It also asked for any official whose name has not been included in the list, by September 4.

In the list, Italia’s name figured at serial number 726 with buckle number 7,975.

Italia on Tuesday posted snaps of the communication and the attached list on social media claiming that though he resigned from the Gujarat Police in 2015, the government promoted him in 2024. He also sarcastically thanked Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi for the same.

Later, in another post, Italia said, “I had quit the job of police constable years back and joined Aam Aadmi Party. I congratulate corrupt BJP people for considering me suitable for promotion to the post of head constable after years of quitting the job.”

By evening, the city police issued a statement maintaining that “Gopal Italia has not been given promotion as head constable”. It said, “Recently, 137 head constables were given promotion as ASI (assistant sub-inspector). Instructions were given to immediately fill the posts by (promoting) police constable (as) head constable. Therefore, 887 names and their details were sought from the prevalent list, as per routine, which was part of the promotion process. Through the list… of 887 candidates, information was sought to be sent in 48 hours if any departmental inquiry/criminal case/ ACB case is pending against them or not. In those names, names of all constables who joined Ahmedabad Police by January 11, 2012, were to be included and as Gopal Italia joined police department in 2012, his name is there in the list.”

“Therefore, it is clearly stated that Gopal Italia has not been promoted as head constable… It seems that Gopal Italia has not properly read the letter posted by him in his (social media) post,” it added.

Speaking with The Indian Express, N N Chaudhary said that the list was a temporary list containing names of even those constables who had passed away or transferred to other districts, among others. “A final list will be prepared after verification and then promotion orders are issued,” he added.

Late in the evening, Italia posted on social media that he will make an important clarification on the issue on Wednesday. Despite repeated attempts, he could not be contacted for a comment.