Panchkula, August 14
Inspector-General of Police Ravi Kant Sharma, the main suspect in the Shivani murder case, was today removed from his post as IG Prisons.

Police sources said that Mr Sharma had been transferred from his present posting for abstaining from work without any intimation to the authorities for three days. He had earlier gone on a 10-day leave from August 2 onwards, following the confessions made by a co- accused in the Shivani murder case, Sri Bhagwan, who had reportedly said that the conspiracy to kill Shivani Bhatnagar was hatched by Mr Sharma.

After Mr Sharma’s leave expired on August 11, he has neither joined duty nor has he requested for a further extension of his leave. Ravi Kant has not been given any other posting as yet. Mr. Laik Ram Dabas, DIG, Haryana Armed Police , Madhuban , has been posted at the place of Mr Sharma.

Later talking to mediapersons, Mr. Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister, Haryana, said that the transfer order of the IG was to ensure that the work for which the officer had been appointed for, did not suffer.

The Chief Minister said that any further action, including suspension of Ravi Kant, could be initiated only after his transfer or arrest. “ Till he surrenders or is arrested, we will not initiate any action against him, but once he does, he will be dealt according to law,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Delhi police team visited the residence of Ravi Kant, in order to quiz his wife and daughters.

The team took several rounds outside his residence in two separate vehicles, but did not enter his house.