Bhubaneswar: A day after the Home Department sought information from the Odisha DGP regarding the leave availed by IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh, the top cop today clarified that Singh returned to duty as DIG of the Special Intelligence Wing on June 3.

"He was on sanctioned leave till June 2 and resumed duty on June 3 as scheduled. Normally, the department receives a joining report which should have been forwarded to the Home Department. I will investigate why this procedure was not followed," said DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi.

The DGP also mentioned that Singh had participated in two department meetings before the Rath Yatra-related meeting.

Singh had availed leave for a month on health grounds from May 4. However, the Home Department didn't receive any communication regarding whether Singh resumed duty or his leave period was extended, said the department in a letter to the DGP.

On June 9, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had recommended action against Singh for misrepresenting facts about his health. The ECI recommendation came following a health check-up of Singh by a six-member panel of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar.

The ECI had written to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha to forward the report of the AIIMS-Bhubaneswar panel to the Chief Secretary for necessary action against the IPS officer.

On April 2, the ECI had directed the state government to shift Singh from the post of IG, Central Range, to a non-election related posting. Subsequently, Singh was transferred and posted as IG, Chief Minister’s security.

Singh, later, took leave for a month on health grounds. The ECI had directed Singh to undergo health check-up at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar after receiving a complaint from the BJP that the IPS officer was working in favour of the BJD in polls.

The health check-up by the AIIMS-Bhubaneswar panel had found Singh mentally and physically fit.