Months after his joining BJP, ex-IPS Mr. Basant Rath is again garnering a lot of attention by seeking security from Jammu and Kashmir Police to campaign for opposition candidates. In a viral letter, Mr. Rath sought security to campaign for Congress, the National Conference, and the Peoples Democratic Party candidates ahead of the 2024 LS polls. 

In his letter, Mr. Rath mentioned how he planned to participate in campaigning in the hilly and terror-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir to campaign for Congress, PDP, and NC candidates. He sought police security to ward off any potential threat to his life and even stated that the J&K Police would be responsible if anything happened to him during the campaign.

In August 2023, Mr. Rath (2000 batch AGMUT cadre IPS) retired prematurely from the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the ground of the “interest of the public”. A few weeks later, Mr. Rath joined the BJP and shared his membership on his social media account.

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During his stint with the bureaucracy, Mr. Rath found himself at the eye of controversies for which he was suspended by the Union Home Ministry for “gross misconduct and misbehaviour” after one of his controversial speeches in June 2023.

A resident of Pipli, Uttarkashi village of Puri district of Odisha, Mr. Rath completed his studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. After clearing the Civil Services Examination in 2000, he chose to serve in the Indian Police Service.