punjab

Updated: Jun 01, 2016 11:22 IST

Supernatural powers come handy to fall back on when things seem to get out of hands.

This holds true for Ludhiana commissioner of police, Jatinder Singh Aulakh, who shifted to a new office reportedly because he was convinced that the recent spurt in crime within his jurisdiction was due to the ‘bad Vastu’ of his office. Aulakh had joined the commissioner’s office only two months ago.

The move has raised eyebrows in the police circles. Two incidents of crime in and around Ludhiana that made national headlines were the murder of Namdhari matriarch Chand Kaur at Bhaini Sahib and the attack on Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, in which latter’s aide was shot dead.

Aulakh shifted his office just 50 metres away from the old one in the same complex. Not only is the new office smaller, it is devoid of a proper waiting room and lacks adequate space for the staff. Sources said the renovation of the new office has cost the exchequer lakhs of rupees. But, the new office is situated at a T-junction, which according to Vastu experts, is considered auspicious.

The commissioner’s old office was constructed at a cost of `40 lakh in 2011, having a separate entry gate for the officer and a spacious air-conditioned waiting room for visitors. The staff nowadays is busy running between the new and old offices, juggling with files. Insiders say there is security concern as the new office is close to a bank and the district treasury. “The previous office was constructed soon after commissionerate system was introduced in 2010. With the CP shifting to the new office, no new officer will be willing to occupy the old one. Lakhs of rupees spent on it will go down the drain,” said an official, requesting anonymity.