Jammu and Kashmir IPS officer Basant Rath has been suspended for alleged instances of gross misconduct and misbehavior, the Ministry of Home Affairs has said.

“Jammu and KashmirI PS officer Basant Rath suspended for alleged instances of gross misconduct and misbehaviour,” the Home Ministry order read.

IPS officer Basant Rath had recently written a letter in which he expressed apprehension about his safety due to "certain activities" of the Jammu and Kashmir Police chief.The letter had gone viral on the social media, triggering a controversy.

In the June 25 letter, addressed to the Gandhi nagar police station SHO, Basant Rath satted,"I'm writing you to take note of my genuine apprehensions about my safety and reputation. I am doing it as a private citizen of the country. In my personal capacity. Not as a civil servant. Not as a policeman."

"I am not asking you to lodge an FIR against the person mentioned above. I am just asking you to make this letter a part of the daily diary in your police station.... In case something bad happens to me, you should know whose number you should dial.With due respect," added the letter, in whose subject line the name of the Jammu and Kashmir Police chief was handwritten.