Bangalore police chief shunted out ahead of assembly polls

Ahead of Karnataka assembly polls next month, Bangalore City Police Commissioner B.G. Jyothiprakash Mirji was Friday transferred out of the post on directions from the election commission.

Raghavendra Auradkar, a 1987 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, replaced Mirji, who belongs to the 1973 batch of IPS, an official statement said.

Mirji's transfer was "as per the direction of the Election Commission of India for smooth conduct of elections in a free and fair manner", the statement said.

Mirji had been in the post for less than two years.

Auradkar, who was home secretary, took charge from Mirji soon after the government issued the order.

Voting for 224 seats of the 225-member assembly is scheduled for May 5.

One seat is filled by a member nominated by the governor to represent the Anglo-Indian community.

Counting of votes will take place May 8.

Bangalore sends 28 representatives to the assembly. - IANS