An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Surat was relieved of his duties just as he was reading himself for retirement. The decision has stirred debate owing to its unprecedented nature.
With a career spanning over three decades, BM Chaudhary had been preparing for his retirement on June 30. However, on May 20, the State Home Department issued a dismissal order that took him by surprise.
According to reports,the State Home Department accused him of submitting a fake caste certificate under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category during his recruitment in 1993.
RP Barot, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Zone 5, confirmed the dismissal to media outlets.
Barot added that Chaudhary had served in various districts and cities within Gujarat’s police department for the past 30 years, with his most recent assignment being ACP in Surat for the last three years, where he managed three police stations: Pal, Adajan, and Rander.
Chaudhary’s family believes he has been wronged. His nephew, Jitendra, pointed out that the the Chaudhary caste is classified as Teli Chaudhary under the OBC category in Maharashtra.
He said Chaudhary was born and raised in Kukarmunda, a village in Tapi district, and this classification difference stemmed from the region’s historical context.
Jitendra added that Kukarmunda was part of Mumbai (Bombay earlier). But, after Gujarat’s formation in 1960, it became part of the newly created Tapi district in the state.
Chaudhary’s academic and professional journey was also questioned. Jitendra said his uncle completed his primary education in Kukarmunda and completed his graduation from Surat.
Later, he participated in the police recruitment for the sub-inspector post in 1993, clearing both physical and written tests. Chaudhary then served in multiple districts across Gujarat, steadily advancing from sub-inspector to inspector within ten years.
In 2019, he was promoted to ACP and transferred to Surat city in 2022 to take charge of K Division.
The issue emerged when an anonymous complaint was filed about Chaudhary’s caste certificate to both the Director General of Police (DGP) and the State Home Department two years ago. In response, the home department instructed the Social Welfare Department to investigate the allegations. The investigation involved visiting Kukarmunda, speaking to Chaudhary’s relatives, and reviewing local government records.
A report was submitted to the State Home Department, following which he was dismissed.
Chaudhary could challenge the dismissal in the Gujarat High Court.
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