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Journalism of Courage
For the past three months, Bhind SP Shazid Farid Shapoo has been on the trail of Nirbhay Singh Gujjar. But even his progress report — a dozen dacoits killed, more than 100 arrested and two near-encounters with Gujjar — could not keep his transfer order away.
Former CM Uma Bharati’s blue-eyed boy was asked to report at Police Headquarters in Bhopal by her successor, Babulal Gaur, yesterday. This, after Bharati had especially posted him as Bhind SP in July for targeting Gujjar and other dacoit gangs in Chambal.
‘‘It is all a political game…the BJP Member of Parliament from Bhind Dr Ram Lakhan Singh did not want me here any longer,’’ Shapoo, a 1998-batch IPS officer, told The Indian Express. ‘‘My job has remained unfinished, I would have got Gujjar…he is hiding somewhere in Kanpur Dehat presently.’’
Sources said the CM’s orders had arrived almost a week ago but they could be executed only yesterday as there was public pressure in favour of Shapoo.
‘‘BJP’s Ram Lakhan Singh, who enjoys considerable clout as he is a four-time running MP from Bhind since 1996, had complained to the CM regarding Shapoo. Shapoo has now been given very much a punishment posting,’’ a senior police official said. Singh declined comment.
