CNN-IBN

Chennai, Mar 16: It was one act of sycophancy that didn't go down too well with the Election Commission.

The EC on Wednesday ordered the removal of the Chennai city Police Commissioner R Natraj with immediate effect for praising Chief Minister and AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha and said it was a violation of the model code of conduct.

Official sources said that the Election Commission had sent a letter in this regard to the Tamil Nadu government, directing it to "move" Natraj to a non-election post.

The immediate trigger for development seems to be a complaint filed by Union Environment and Forest Minister and DMK man A Raja who alleged the top cop was acting in a partisan manner.

In an interview to a daily newspaper, Natraj had reportedly praised Jayalalitha saying law and order was best maintained in the state under her leadership.

He had also said that Jaya was the best Chief Minister the state ever had.

Natraj’s removal is being seen as a clear message of zero tolerance being sent out by the EC as far as contempt of court is concerned.

The state government will now send a panel of three names to the commission for appointing a new city police chief.