Tug-of-war between Haryana CM and state HM Anil Vij intensifies as latter demands removal of the CID chief

The ongoing tug-of-war over the command of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) between Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the state Home Minister Anil Vij has further intensified with the latter seeking removal of the agency chief.

Vij has asked the CM to remove CID chief Anil Rao after taking disciplinary action against him, say sources in the state Home Department, adding that the minister has made written communication to the CM in this context.

A six-time MLA and the senior-most BJP leader, Vij has demanded that state CID chief Anil Rao, who is an ADGP-rank officer, be replaced by another senior IPS officer.

Rao has been in the line of fire when Vij expressed his dissatisfaction over the functioning of the CID Department and constituted a three-member committee to suggest its overhauling to make it effective and sharper, after taking over as Home Minister of the state.

The minister had sought Rao’s explanation after the CID chief failed to respond to election-related information that Vij had sought. The minister, after sending a reminder, had also sought the officer’s explanation for failing to respond.

Incidentally, in December last year, the Haryana government’s official website began to reflect the CID, an integral part of the Home Department, as a department under the jurisdiction of the Chief Minister, prompting a sharp reaction from Vij. Since then, Anil Vij and Manohar Lal Khattar have been at loggerheads.

Vij had recently told Rao that "he was not satisfied" with a report sent by him.

This is not the first time that Vij has shown his displeasure over the functioning of the state intelligence department. Earlier too, he has raised serious questions over its functioning.

The minister had also expressed his dismay when he was not kept in the loop when the chief minister's flying squad undertook surprise checks at offices of the Regional Transport Authority.

Khattar, however, had recently said the CID remained under the chief minister's charge during the terms of Bansi Lal and Devi Lal, an assertion that appeared to counter the home minister's claim over the department.

In the current coalition government in Haryana, the chief minister holds 17 different portfolios, while Anil Vij has been given home portfolio along with Health and Urban Local Bodies Department.