Bhubaneswar: Basant Rath, who had been given premature retirement as an IPS officer by the Centre a few days ago, reportedly joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Basant, who was born in Odisha, had been given premature retirement from Indian Police Service (IPS) by the Ministry of Home Affairs with immediate effect ‘in public interest’.

“The Centre, after careful consideration, has come to the conclusion that the IPS officer Basant Rath is not fit to be retained in service in public interest. It has, therefore, decided to retire IPS Basant Rath (AGMUT: 2000) permanently from service, in public interest, under Rule 16 (3) of the AIS (DCRB) Rules, 1958 with immediate effect,” said a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on August 7.

Notably, Rath had been suspended from service in July 2020 for gross misconduct and misbehaviour. The Ministry of Home Affairs had extended the suspension of Rath for another six months last month.