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MHA extends WB DGP Siddh Nath Gupta’s tenure by 6 months amid polls

By
LO Bureau
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Siddh Nath Gupta IPS

In an unusually intriguing move, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday (April 27, 2026) extended the tenure of West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta (IPS:1992:WB) by six months as he was scheduled to retire from service on April 30, 2026.

Gupta was appointed as Director General of Police (DGP) by the Election Commission of India by removing interim DGP Peeyush Pandey on March 15, 2026, hours after announcing the Assembly elections in the state. The ECI also directed Pandey not to be assigned any election-related duties.

The extension comes at a time when the Model Code of Conduct is in force, with the second phase of polling scheduled for April 29, 2026, and counting of votes on May 4.

With the six-month extension going beyond the election period, the decision has triggered speculation over the post-poll administrative arrangement. Observers note that the continuation of Mr. Gupta may come under review depending on the election outcome and the stance of the government that assumes office.

West Bengal has a history of election-related violence, both before and after polling. In this context, continuity in leadership is also being viewed as a factor behind the decision, particularly to manage law and order during and after the electoral process.

Whatever the rationale of the move, it has raised questions, as once the election process concludes, the charge should have been typically handed back to the previous DGP. It is to be seen how the situation unfolds after the completion of the election process and declaration of results.

Intelligence Bureau grappling with huge shortage of IPS at crucial middle-level positions

By
LO Bureau
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India’s premier internal intelligence agency, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), is facing a bizarre predicament due to an acute shortage of IPS officers in its manpower. Worse, this gap is most acute at the middle ranks that play crucial roles for field operations and intelligence coordination.

The official data on sanctioned posts and vacancies in Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), reveals a grim staffing imbalance within the IB. The situation is most stark at the DIG and SP levels. The fact is these mid-tier ranks are currently operating at nearly 50 percent below their sanctioned strength.

Interestingly, most senior leadership positions—from DG rank down—are fully occupied.

The grimness of the situation is reflected by the fact that out of a total sanctioned strength of 203 IPS posts in the IB, 81 remain vacant, translating to an overall shortage of roughly 40 per cent. The DIG level alone has 36 vacancies out of 63 sanctioned posts, while the SP rank is short by 45 officers against a sanctioned strength of 83.

Needless to say, it is DIGs and SPs who shoulder the basic responsibility of supervising ground-level intelligence officers, managing sensitive intelligence inputs, and ensuring timely dissemination of actionable information.

A senior-level government official tries to explain the reason behind it, saying IB’s dependence on deputation from state cadres makes it particularly vulnerable to such shortages. According to him, state police forces themselves face staffing constraints, and increasing law-and-order demands leave fewer IPS officers available to move to central deputation roles. What further complicates the crisis is the  Centre-State relations, which also play an important role.

Besides, shorter tenures and frequent transfers can disrupt continuity in intelligence work.

The tragedy is that the shortage comes at a time when India’s internal security landscape is becoming more complex due to newer forms of threats ranging from terrorism and extremism to cyber espionage and organised crime syndicates.

Telangana reshuffles 30 IAS officers, 7 Districts get new Collectors

By
LO Bureau
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Telangana

The Telangana government on Saturday (April 25, 2026) carried out a major bureaucratic reshuffle, transferring and assigning new postings to 30 IAS officers across the state.

The reshuffle was issued through three separate orders and includes several key changes at both the Secretariat and field levels. Notably, at least seven districts have been assigned new Collectors and District Magistrates.

The names of the officers and their postings are as follows:

  1. Sanjay Kumar (IAS:1995:TG), Special Chief Secretary, PR&RD, RWS & RSAD Department, has been transferred and posted as Special Officer in Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi.
  2. M Dana Kishore (IAS:1996:TG), Special Chief Secretary, LET&F Department, has been moved and posted as Special Chief Secretary, PR & RD, RWS & RSAD Department. He will continue to hold full additional charge of the post of Special Chief Secretary to the Governor.
  3. BS Viziendira (IAS:2006:TG), Secretary, TGSWREIS & Commissioner, SCD, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, SCD Department with full additional charge of Secretary, TGSWREIS & Commissioner, SCD.
  4. K Harichandana Dasari (IAS:2010:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Hyderabad, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, LET&F Department. She is also placed in full additional charge of Secretary, Revenue Department.
  5. Krishna Aditya S (IAS:2014:TG), Director, Intermediate Education & Secretary, Board of Intermediate Education (BIE), has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department.
  6. Zendage Hanumanth Kondiba (IAS:2016:TG), Director, Civil Supplies, has been transferred and posted as CEO, Arogyasri Health Care Trust. He is also placed in FAC of Special Secretary, I&PR Department. He is also placed in Special Secretary, PE Department.
  7. M Pravinya (IAS:2016:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Sangareddy, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, TR&B Department.
  8. Santosh BM (IAS:2017:TG), Director, Tribal Welfare, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Tribal Welfare Department. He is also placed in FAC of the post of Director, Tribal Welfare.
  9. Anudeep Durishetty (IAS:2018:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Khammam, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, ITE&C Department. He is also placed in FAC of the posts of Director, Mines & Geology and VC & MD, Telangana Mineral Development Corporation (TGMDC).
  10. Abhilasha Abhinav (IAS:2018:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Nirmal, has been transferred and posted as Director, Intermediate Education & Secretary, Board of Intermediate Education (BIE).
  11. GV Shyam Prasad Lal (IAS:2019:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Nagarkurnool, has been transferred and posted as Director, Civil Supplies.
  12. G Mukunda Reddy (IAS:2019:TG), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, has been transferred and posted as Special Commissioner, I&PR and Ex-Officio Secretary, GA (I&PR) Department.
  13. Aparv Chauhan (IAS:2020:TG), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Kukatpally, has been transferred and posted as Project Director (CMRO), Project Director (CMRO) O/o CCLA.
  14. Bhavesh Mishra (IAS:2015:TG), Special Secretary, ITE&C Department, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Nirmal.
  15. Priyanka Ala (IAS:2016:TG), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Khairtabad, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Hyderabad.
  16. Prateek Jain (IAS:2017:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Narayanpet, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Sangareddy.
  17. S Divakara TS (IAS:2017:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Mulugu, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Khammam.
  18. Bhorakhade Hemant Sahadeorao (IAS:2018:TG), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Serilingampally, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Mulugu.
  19. Chekka Priyanka (IAS:2018:TG), Special Commissioner, I&PR and EO Special Secretary, GA (I&PR) Department, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Narayanpet.
  20. Hemanta Keshav Patil (IAS:2019:TG), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, LB Nagar, has been transferred and posted as Collector & District Magistrate, Nagarkurnool.
  21. Manda Makarandu (IAS:2020:TG), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Rajendranagar, has been transferred and posted as Project Officer, ITDA, Utnoor.
  22. Lenin Vatsal Toppo (IAS:2021:TG), Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Mahabubabad, has been transferred and posted as Project Officer, ITDA, Eturnagaram.
  23. Kiranmayi Koppisetti (IAS:2022:TG), Sub-Collector, Banswada, Kamareddy district, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Rangareddy.
  24. Yuvraj Marmat (IAS:2022:TG), Sub-Collector, Utnoor, Adilabad district, has been transferred and posted as Additional Collector (Local Bodies), Kumram Bheem Asifabad.
  25. P Uday Kumar (IAS:2016:TG), CEO, Arogyasri Health Care Trust, has been transferred and posted as Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Golconda.
  26. Badhavath Santhosh (IAS:2016:TG), Collector & District Magistrate, Nagarkurnool, has been transferred and posted as Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Khairatabad.
  27. Narayan Amit Malempati (IAS:2022:TG), Sub-Collector, Miryalaguda, Nalgonda district, has been transferred and posted as Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Serilingampally.
  28. Vikas Mahato (IAS:2022:TG), Sub-Collector, Bodhan, Nizamabad, has been transferred and posted as Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, LB Nagar.
  29. Mayank Singh (IAS:2022:TG), Sub-Collector, Kataram, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, has been transferred and posted as Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Kukatpally.
  30. Srinivas Reddy (IAS), Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Charminar (Non-Cadre), has been transferred and posted as Zonal Commissioner, GHMC, Rajendranagar.

Kerala DGP orders registering case against ex-DGP Tomin Thachankary for misusing official insignia

By
LO Bureau
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Kerala DGP Rawada Chandrasekhar

In an unusual development, Kerala DGP Rawada Chandrasekhar (IPS:1991:KL) reportedly passed an order on Sunday instructing police officials to register a case against former DGP Tomin J. Thachankary (IPS:1987:KL) for misusing official insignia (DGP star board) on a private vehicle even after retirement.

Earlier, he had ordered the Kottayam Superintendent of Police (SP) to conduct an investigation into the allegation. After the Kottayam SP’s investigation reported a violation of rules by Thachankary, the DGP ordered him to file a case against him for misusing official insignia (DGP star board) on a private vehicle after retirement.

There is a possibility that a detailed investigation will be conducted into whether Thachankary has been using the official insignia in this manner since his retirement.

The action started after activist Kulathur Jaisingh filed a complaint at a Kottayam police station and with the state police chief, seeking an inquiry into whether a retired officer improperly used a vehicle displaying official insignia reserved for serving DGP- and ADGP-rank officers.

The retired DGP reportedly arrived at the Vigilance Court in Kottayam in a vehicle bearing a three-star insignia plate, following which a complaint was lodged seeking an investigation into the incident.

Delhi HC orders DoPT to act on complaints against ex-Telangana IAS within three months

By
LO Bureau
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Case against Rajat Kumar IAS

In an important development, the Delhi High Court has given three months’ time to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to take a final decision on a complaint against retired Telangana cadre IAS officer Rajat Kumar (IAS:1991:TG). The complaint filed by one Gavinolla Srinivas leveled serious allegations of corruption against Kumar.

The complainant had earlier lodged a complaint with the DoPT on January 28, 2022, accusing the senior bureaucrat of engaging in corrupt practices, including allegedly accepting benefits from a private infrastructure company involved in major irrigation projects in Telangana.

The HC issued these orders while disposing of a writ petition in which the petitioner alleged that the company had reportedly borne expenses incurred during Kumar’s daughter’s marriage function and that the private infrastructure company had been awarded contract works for mega irrigation projects in lieu.

The petitioner alleged that the DoPT, instead of taking an action, forwarded the complaint to the state Chief Secretary, which he says was insufficient and contrary to legal obligations, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in ‘Vineet Narain vs. Union of India,’ which emphasised timely and independent decision-making in corruption matters involving public officials.

The High Court held that merely forwarding the complaint to the state government did not absolve the DoPT of its responsibility and that it should have acted even if a report from the state was pending.

Bihar transfers four IAS officers, RL Chongthu moved to Minority Welfare

By
LO Bureau
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Bihar Map

The Bihar Government on Sunday (April 26, 2026) carried out a bureaucratic reshuffle, issuing transfer and posting orders for four IAS officers.

The names of the officers and their postings are as follows;

  1. Robert L. Chongthu (IAS:1997:BH), who was serving as Principal Secretary in the Governor Secretariat, has been moved and posted as Principal Secretary, Minority Welfare.
  2. Gopal Meena (IAS:2007:BH), Secretary, Revenue and Land Reforms, has been transferred and appointed as Secretary to the Governor. He has also been given additional charge of Enquiry Commissioner in the General Administration Department.
  3. Mohammad Sohail (IAS:2007:BH), Secretary, Minority Welfare, has been shifted to the General Administration Department as Secretary. He will continue to hold the additional charge of Enquiry Commissioner, GAD.
  4. Shailendra Kumar (IAS:2013:BH), Special Secretary in the Agriculture Department, has been posted as District Magistrate of Lakhisarai.

AB Venkateswara Rao serves legal notices to former DGPs, officials seeking ₹1 crore damages

By
LO Bureau
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Retired IPS officer and former Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Chief AB Venkateswara Rao (Retd.IPS:1989:AP) has sent legal notices to former DGPs D Gautam Sawang and RP Thakur, along with several serving and retired IPS officers and officials.

Those named include Ravi Shankar Ayyanar, PV Sunil Kumar, PSR Anjaneyulu and K Raghurami Reddy. Others named are retired Additional SP (CID) R Vijay Paul, retired Chief Accounts Officer in the DGP office C Govinda Rajan, ACB Additional SP S Sai Krishna and former CPRO to the Chief Minister Pudi Srihari.

The State of Andhra Pradesh has also been made a party through its Chief Secretary.

The notices have been sent under Section 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Rao has sought damages of Rs 1 crore. He has accused them of malicious prosecution, illegal suspension, fabrication of records, defamation and violation of his rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.

AB Venkateswara Rao said he was falsely named in a case linked to the purchase of security equipment. This included an aerostat and unmanned aerial vehicles. The equipment was bought through the State Trading Corporation of India for use in anti-extremist operations and security work.

He said that the alleged conspiracy began in 2018 when he was serving as Additional DGP Intelligence. At that time, he was handling surveillance systems related to national security, anti-terror work, crime control and law and order.

Rao also said the High Court had quashed the FIR filed by the ACB and the charge sheet. He said this showed that the case against him was baseless.

He has said all those named are jointly responsible for paying damages. He has also sought 12 percent interest from February 8, 2020, which he called the date of the first cause of action.

Ashok Lahiri appointed NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman; panel reconstituted

By
LO Bureau
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The Centre on Saturday appointed eminent economist and West Bengal MLA Ashok Kumar Lahiri as the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog.

Lahiri, a former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, replaces Suman Bery, who had been holding the post since May 2022.

The government also reconstituted the policy body with economist K V Raju, Director of AIIMS M Srinivas, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology Abhay Karandikar, noted scientist Gobardhan Das, and former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba as full-time members.

Gauba was also part of the outgoing panel. Other members of the earlier panel included Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Ramesh Chand, Vinod Kumar Paul and Arvind Virmani.

Announcing the new leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to Lahiri and the newly appointed members, expressing confidence in their ability to contribute to policy-making and reforms.

He said NITI Aayog has emerged as a vital pillar in India’s policy-making architecture, fostering cooperative federalism, furthering reforms and boosting ease of living. He described it as a dynamic platform for innovation and long-term strategic thinking across sectors.

Lahiri later met the Prime Minister and thanked him for the appointment. Modi noted that Lahiri’s rich experience in economics and public policy would strengthen India’s reform journey and its goal of becoming a developed nation, adding that his contribution would further energise policymaking in the country.

Famous Rajasthan IAS Arti Dogra gets relief; HC stays ACB investigation against her

By
LO Bureau
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Arti Dogra IAS

In a relief to famous Rajasthan cadre IAS officer and Discom Chairperson Arti Dogra (IAS:2006:RJ), the Division Bench of the High Court has stayed the order of an ACB investigation against her. The ACB investigation had been ordered by the single-judge bench of the High Court.

The Discom Chairperson has got relief within 24 hours of the investigation order.

The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Shubha Mehta held that this was not a corruption case and three investigations are pending against the petitioner on which decisions will be taken soon.

The single-judge bench of Justice Ravi Chirania had ordered an ACB investigation against the IAS officer while hearing the petition of a superintendent engineer, RK Meena. Meena had alleged that the Discom Chairperson withheld a decision on his file, due to which he was deprived of a promotion.

The High Court had remarked that the Discom Chairperson had deliberately withheld the decision on the investigation against the petitioner for several months, holding it to provide sufficient grounds to suspect corruption in this matter.

The court had even directed the ACB to submit its investigation report within three months.

Prashant Kumar Mishra appointed PS to Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil

By
LO Bureau
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Prashant Kumar Mishra IAS

IAS officer Prashant Kumar Mishra (IAS:2014:KN) has been appointed as Private Secretary to the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil. His appointment has been made in the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Wednesday (April 22, 2026), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved Mishra’s appointment to the post at the level of Deputy Secretary.

Prashant will serve in the position for a period upto March 15, 2031 (i.e. total tenure of 5 years as PS/OSD) from the date of assuming charge of the post. However, the tenure will be on a co-terminus basis with the minister or until he ceases to function as OSD to the minister, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

To enable him join this assignment, his current assignment as OSD to same minister in the same department has been curtailed. Notably, he assumed charge of OSD post on March 15, 2026.

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