The Punjab government has joined issue with the Centre for repatriating suspended Director General of Police S S Virk to Maharashtra and demanded a 'review' of the decision saying the officer is facing disciplinary action in the state for 'serious allegations' of irregularities.

An official release issued on Sunday night that on the direction of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, state Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh had taken up the issue of Virk being allowed to join duty in Maharashtra though he is facing disciplinary action, with Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.

"We have come to learn from the media that Virk has reported for duty to Maharashtra government. Virk was placed under suspension by the state government. As he is already under suspension, there is no basis to permit him to join in any other office. Virk cannot join his duties anywhere else, as his headquarter during suspension has been fixed as DGP office, Punjab," Singh said in his letter to the Home Secretary.

Virk was DGP, Punjab, when the Election Commission of India took cognizance of his conduct, in view of media reports exposing some property deals and directed the state government to remove him from the post.

A 1970 batch officer, Virk is considered close to former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

"The Election Commission of India came to the conclusion that the DGP may be removed from his post in the interest of free and fair conduct of elections in the state," the letter pointed out, adding, that Virk was involved in benami land transaction, which was a serious violation of the All India Service (Conduct) rules.

"When the matter came to the notice of the state government, he was placed under suspension and due intimation was given to the government of India also. A charge sheet has since been issued to him," the letter said.