It may be recalled that soon after Singh took over as Director General of Police his alleged involvement in a 20- year-old recruitment scam hogged the headlines.
In 1998, in his position at the time of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police for Anantnag and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir, Singh came under the scanner for irregularities in the recruitment of constables for the zone.
Singh, who had headed the recruitment board, was subsequently placed under suspension. But the very next year, in 1999, he was mysteriously reinstated.
The government had constituted a high-level inquiry, which had found "gross irregularities" in the recruitment. The list that was finalized by Dilbag Singh was quashed and a fresh one was subsequently released to end public outrage at that time.
The inquiry report dating back to August 1998, titled "Alleged irregularities: of Constables Anantnag - placement responsible for the suspension," makes some shocking revelations.
"Whereas vacant posts of Constable of Police of District Anantnag were referred by Director General of Police to the Recruitment Board and a select list of 470 candidates was prepared by the said Board headed by Dilbag Singh, IPS Addl DIG Anantnag-Pulwama; whereas serious allegations were leveled against the selection process, and taking notice of the allegations, Director General of Police had ordered a preliminary enquiry into the said recruitment vide PHQ No:- APPtt-26536-37 dated 14-07-1998 and entrusted the same to Dr Ashok Bhan, IPS, IG Armed Police, J&K."
According to the inquiry report, Dr Bhan, who is widely known for his honesty and integrity, "after test checking of records and carrying out verification of 31 cases, came to conclusion that gross irregularities were committed while making the selection, raising doubts about the intentions of the Recruitment Board." The inquiry had found Dilbag Singh "responsible" for gross irregularities. Apart from the initial suspension, the government sought "further action" against the accused.
"Whereas the select list has been quashed by Director General of Police and a de novo recruitment has been ordered by him; now, therefore, pending further action under rules against the officers responsible for the alleged irregularities in making the recruitment, the following officers are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect: Dilbag Singh, IPS Addl DIG Anantnag-Pulwama; the inquiry report stated as filed by the additional secretary to the government, Home Department. Interestingly, the very next the year, Singh was reinstated by the government then headed by chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Since then, however, for 20 long years, Singh was never posted in Kashmir until his elevation as the DGP. |
