'Anti-government': Himachal CID launches probe into samosa mix-up during CM Sukhu's visit

Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh. (File Photo: PTI)

In a puzzling development in Himachal Pradesh, the CID has launched a probe after an order from a five-star hotel meant for Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu who was visiting the department's headquarters in Shimla ended up in the wrong plates.

Terming the consumption of the three boxes of refreshments on October 21, including samosas and a cake, an "anti-government" act, the CID has slapped show-cause notices against five police personnel and accused them acting in an “anti-CID” manner, “according to their own agenda”, and depriving VIPs of the refreshments.

“The police personnel served the show cause notices are in the process of recording their final statements before a DSP-rank probe officer, who has recommended strict disciplinary action against the five," The Indian Express quoted a source as saying. The official submitted his report to the IG (CID) on October 25.

Ironically, sources close to the chief minister have informed the media that he does not consume samosas and fried items since he is recovering from a recent illness.

The incident occurred on October 21 when CM Sukhu was visiting the CID Headquarters to inaugurate a Cyber Wing station. Unaware that the CM would not consume samosas, an Inspector General (IG)-rank officer instructed a sub-inspector to fetch three boxes of samosas and cakes from Hotel Radisson Blue for him.

However, after the eatables were brought to the CID headquarters, these were served to the CM’s security staff.

As per the probe report submitted by DSP Vikram Chauhan, a sub-inspector was asked by the IG to arrange some eatables who “in turn directed an assistant sub-inspector and a head constable to bring the refreshments”.

“The ASI and the head constable fetched the refreshments from the hotel in three sealed boxes and informed the SI.”

At least two of the police personnel among the five who have been served show-cause notices told the probe officer that when they asked the Tourism Department staff on duty (who usually serve refreshments at CM functions) whether the snacks in the three boxes were to be served to the CM, they were told those were not in his menu, reports IE.

The woman inspector to whom the food items were handed over apparently gave the same to the Mechanical Transport section, which was assigned the task of arranging the refreshments, without consulting a senior officer, the probe report states.

As per the report, one of the police personnel has informed that he, in turn, was told to serve the material to 10-12 people sitting in the office of an IG, which he then did.

Those present at the CID Headquarters at the time of the 'incident' included the DGP (CID) SR Ojha, IG Santosh Patial, DIG (Crime) DK Chaudhary and DIG (Cyber Crime) Mohit Chawla. Sukhu was accompanied by local MLA Harish Janartha and Rural Development and Panchyati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh.