Patnaik leaves behind parting gift for 10 close staffers

So what was erstwhile Mumbai CP Arup Patnaik's first instinct after learning of his impending transfer and ‘promotion'?

Caring boss: Hours before his transfer, Arup Patnaik promoted Sanjay Bendale, his bodyguard to the Western Region. file pic

Believe it or not, he transferred no less than 10 close subordinates to various plum postings, as a parting gift.

The 10 cops include his personal assistants, bodyguard, reader and other working staff.

After Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan signed the order promoting Patnaik to the post of managing director of the Maharashtra State Security Corporation, the news spread like wildfire.

Patnaik immediately transferred his near and dear ones to various coveted postings.

Sanjay Bendale, who was Patnaik's bodyguard, was transferred to the Western Region, while Shankar Prabhakar Chindakar, who was with Patnaik as a reader, was transferred to the Crime Branch.

"As soon as Patnaik heard about his transfer he passed orders for the transfer of his staff," said a police officer on condition of anonymity.
"It's not unusual for senior officers to do this, as the new commissioner is likely to deploy people close to him as his office staff. But Patnaik managed to do it surprisingly quickly.

He had to hand over charge within 24 hours of the order," said the police officer.

Patnaik showed the transfers as administrative ones.

"Chindakar had great control in deciding which matters would be sent up to the commissioner's office. It was very difficult for the common man to meet Patnaik as Chindakar used to interfere each time.

Senior police inspectors from different police stations also had to interact most of the time with Chindakar," said a source.

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Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested two more rioters - Basinoor Mohammad Khan and Tabrez Sayyed - for causing violence in Azad Maidan on August 11. Khan had allegedly thrown a slipper at a policeman, and his act was captured on camera, helping cops nab him in Govandi. Sayyed on the other hand was allegedly involved in torching media vans.u00a0