With current Odisha police chief Y B Khurania (IPS:1990:OD) set to retire on Aug 16 and the DGP Empanelment Committee Meeting (ECM) held on Friday remaining inclusive, senior IPS officer Sanjeeb Panda (IPS:1994:OD) emerges as the frontrunner for the DGP post.
What has added substance to the speculation is the fact that Panda is almost certain to be elevated to the DGP rank in the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting likely to be held this week. He is currently posted as an Additional Director-General (ADG), Anti-Naxal Operations, with an additional charge of the ADG, Special Intelligence Wing (SIW).
According to a top govt source, the DPC is expected anytime this week in which Panda’s batchmate Yeshwant Jethwa, serving as Director (Vigilance), is also likely to be promoted to the DGP rank.
Naturally then, Panda’s imminent promotion is being closely watched in the state police circles, as he is considered a powerful contender for the top police post in the state. Once the DPC concludes, the state will forward a fresh panel of DGP candidates to the UPSC for shortlisting three officers out of whom the state govt will pick one for the top job.
Panda’s chances are believed to have brightened after the UPSC reportedly received adverse feedback from the CBI against Susanta Kumar Nath (IPS:1993:OD), DG (prisons), in connection with the sub-inspector recruitment scam when he headed the Odisha Police Recruitment Board.
A source says that Panda was earlier at number four in seniority, but with Nath’s exit, he moves up to number three.
Though senior-most officer of the 1990 batch, Sudhanshu Sarangi, currently posted as DG, Fire Services, and 1993 batch officer R P Koche, serving as Director (Intelligence), are also in the race, Panda is seen to have an edge over them.
A top govt source indicates that Panda’s prospects have been bolstered by Odisha’s success in meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s target of having a Naxal‑free India by March 2026.
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