Even if you are a bureaucrat, you can make the Home Ministry somersault if you have the right connection or enjoy the blessings of
political bosses, or know the art of putting a stumbling block to scuttle a government move. It became evident in the case of IPS
officer Manishi Chandra, OSD to Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora.
The story of Union Home Ministry making a somersault started on December 13, 2024, when it transferred Chandra, a 2004 batch IPS
officer, to Mizoram.
The move to transfer Chandra was reportedly taken without taking the consent of Delhi CP Sanjay Arora. So, Arora was never in a
hurry to relieve his OSD for Mizoram. As per reliable source, Delhi Police Commissioner virtually put his foot down as he was
determined to ensure that Chandra continues to remain at police headquarters as his OSD.
The result was a somersault by the Union Home Ministry in form of a fresh notification, issued on January 1, 2025, deferring Chandra’s
transfer to Mizoram.
The Home Ministry’s order dated 01.01.2025 reads, “In partial modification of MHA’s order of even number dated 13.12.2024,
transfer in respect of Manishi Chandra from Delhi to Mizoram is hereby cancelled with immediate effect and until further orders.”
But this quick u-turn attracted wide attention. Some insiders believe that Chandra’s transfer was an abrupt decision, which
perhaps necessitated a u-turn by the Home Ministry within two weeks.
Now, to cover up the possible embarrassment, it is being claimed that Chandra’s stay was necessary as Delhi is going to the Assembly
elections, so the MHA revised its decision on Chandra. But this logic lacks substance as Delhi Assembly elections were not announced
suddenly but are being held as per schedule, and hence were known
to all.
So, undoubtedly, the way Chandra’s abrupt transfer and subsequent deferment unfolded is an unusual incident.
