Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter
Home Blog Page 33

K’taka to have new police chief soon; MA Saleem leads race, Prashant Thakur also a contender

By
LO Bureau
-
0


Karnataka is soon going to have a new state police chief as the incumbent Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP), Alok Mohan, a 1987 batch IPS officer, will be relinquishing the post on May 21.

Mohan was virtually scheduled to retire on April 30 itself, but the state government extended his tenure until May 21, 2025 to enable him to complete a minimum two-year term as DG, as stipulated by the Supreme Court in the famous Prakash Singh of 2006. Mohan had assumed office as DG&IGP on May 21, 2023. Thus, the appointment of a new police chief has been delayed by three weeks.

In the prevailing scenario, there are two names doing the rounds for the top post – Fire and Emergency Services DGP Prashant Kumar Thakur and CID Chief M A Saleem. While Thakur belongs to the 1992 batch, Saleem is from the 1993 batch.

There are two other officers who could have been in the reckoning but are ruled out of the race due to different reasons. Ramchandra Rao, a 1993 batch officer, was placed under compulsory leave after his alleged involvement in the Ranya Rao smuggling case. So, Rao is out of the race. Similarly, Malini Krishnamurthy, another officer from the 1993 batch, is scheduled to retire in July and hence crashes out of the race.

In this way, there are only two contenders left in the race for the top job – Thakur and Saleem. Here again, there is a twist. If seniority takes precedence then Thakur should be the new police chief, but political preference is said to be favouring Saleem. Against this backdrop, Saleem is reported to be racing ahead.

If the state government decides in favour of Saleem as the next DG&IGP, then he will be the first Kannada-speaking officer to head the state police force in several decades.

Also Read: Karnataka govt extends DG&IGP Alok Mohan’s tenure to uphold two-year rule, sets key precedent

Ashok Khemka finally bids good-bye to bureaucracy

By
LO Bureau
-
0

Ashok Khemka, a bureaucrat known for his whistle-blowing tendency, is finally bidding good-bye to bureaucracy today. His missionary zeal to weed out corruption seems to have proved his nemesis. It is duly manifested through his 57 transfers during his 34-year-old bureaucratic career. Over his entire career, Khemka was transferred about every six months on average, probably the highest among the state’s bureaucrats.

An IIT Kharagpur alumnus, this 1991-batch Haryana cadre IAS officer shot into prominence in 2012 when he cancelled the mutation of a Gurugram land deal linked to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law, Robert Vadra. But that was the flash point in his career.

In 2023, Khemka went to the extent of offering to root out corruption from Haryana. He shot off a letter to then Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar wishing to head the vigilance department for it. In the letter he wrote, “Towards the end of my service career, I offer my services to head the vigilance department to root out corruption.”

His problem was his burning desire to wage a war against corruption. Khemka in his letter to Khattar, had reportedly written, “If given an opportunity, I assure you there would be a real war against corruption and no one however high and mighty will be spared.”

But there was no taker for Khemka’s uprightness in the system, not even during the BJP regime. It is proved by the fact that he was often given a low-profile job. Just for an example, Khemka had been posted to the Archives department for the fourth time despite having served it as Director General and later as Principal Secretary. Interestingly, three of these stints were during the tenure of the BJP government.

That was perhaps the reason why Khemka once remarked that he had sacrificed his service career in his zeal to end corruption. Needless to point out then that Khemka nursed a feeling of despondency all through his career. What he once remarked in a philosophical vein, virtually sums up his feelings, “Straight trees are always cut first. No regrets,” Khemka had rued.

Karnataka: Tushar Giri Nath appointed ACS, Urban Development Department

By
LO Bureau
-
0

In line with what legendofficers.com reported on April 19, Tushar Giri Nath (IAS: 1993: KN) has been appointed as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Urban Development Department (UDD) in Karnataka. The appointment came as part of a major bureaucratic reshuffle carried out on April 28, 2025, following the superannuation of Umashankar SR (IAS:1993:KN), the outgoing ACS, UDD and Administrator of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), who is set to retire today (April 30).

Giri Nath, who was serving as Chief Commissioner of BBMP, has now been elevated to the post of ACS to Government, UDD. According to the official order, he will also hold concurrent charge of two significant positions—ACS, Home Department and Administrator, BBMP, Bengaluru.

Sources had earlier confirmed to legendofficers.com that Mr. Giri Nath was the leading contender for the UDD post—an assessment that has now been validated with his official appointment. He will play a pivotal role in steering the formation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the demarcation of new municipal boundaries, both key to the state’s urban governance reforms.

In a related development, Maheshwar Rao M. (IAS: 1995: KN) has been named as the new Chief Commissioner of BBMP. He will hold this role in concurrent charge with his current position as Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).

Also Read: Karnataka: Tushar Giri Nath, Gaurav Gupta top contenders for UDD chief post

Senior IPS officer Deven Bharti appointed as Mumbai Police Commissioner

By
LO Bureau
-
0

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) appointed senior IPS officer Deven Bharti (IPS: 1994: MH) as the new Police Commissioner of Mumbai. He will assume charge after the current commissioner, Vivek Phansalkar (IPS: 1989: MH), is set to demit office later this evening.

A veteran officer with a distinguished record, Deven Bharti, 56, has held several critical assignments in Mumbai and across Maharashtra. In 2023, he was appointed the city’s first Special Commissioner of Police, a newly created position in Mumbai Police’s history.

He is widely known for his tenure as one of the longest-serving Joint Commissioners of Police (Law and Order) in Mumbai, overseeing the functioning of all police stations. Bharti has also served as Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) and led the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

Among his many high-profile investigations are the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the killing of journalist J Dey. He is also credited with crippling the Indian Mujahideen’s network in the state.

IAS Baranwal Varunkumar Jagdish appointed PS to Union Minister Piyush Goyal

By
LO Bureau
-
0

IAS officer Baranwal Varunkumar Jagdish (IAS:2014:GJ) has been appointed as Private Secretary (PS) to Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (29.04.2025), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Mr. Jagdish to the post for a period upto August 19, 2029 (i.e. total tenure of five years as PS/OSD). His tenure will be co-terminus with the Minister, or until he ceases to function as Private Secretary, or until further orders—whichever is earlier.

Mr. Jagdish is currently serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Piyush Goyal, a role he assumed on August 19, 2024, following his appointment via DoPT order dated August 10, 2024. That OSD tenure was originally for four years. However, in view of his elevation to the PS post, his tenure as OSD has been prematurely curtailed to facilitate this new assignment.

He will hold the charge of the post at Deputy Secretary level.

Karnataka govt extends DG&IGP Alok Mohan’s tenure to uphold two-year rule, sets key precedent

By
LO Bureau
-
0

In a landmark move that sets a precedent for police leadership in Karnataka, the state government has extended the tenure of Alok Mohan (IPS:1987:KN), the incumbent Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP), until May 21, 2025. This extension ensures he completes a minimum two-year tenure, in line with the Supreme Court’s directive in the Prakash Singh case on police reforms.

Alok Mohan was originally scheduled to retire on April 30, 2025. However, to align with the mandate of a fixed two-year term for the police chief, the state government treated May 21, 2023—the day he assumed charge as in-charge DG&IGP—as the start of his official tenure. His appointment was formally confirmed on August 5, 2023.

This is the first instance in Karnataka where a DG&IGP’s service has been extended beyond the age of superannuation to fulfill the two-year tenure condition. The move underscores the government’s commitment to the Supreme Court’s guidelines and its own affidavit submitted in 2019–20, promising compliance with the Prakash Singh judgement.

Previously, officers such as Neelmani N Raju (IPS:1983:KN) and Praveen Sood (IPS:1986:KN)—both of whom had over two years of service remaining when appointed—did not face this issue, and no extensions were required.

Also Read: Will Karnataka DGP Alok Mohan get a four-month extension?

Justice BR Gavai appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India

By
LO Bureau
-
0

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has been appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). He will take oath on May 14, 2025, succeeding incumbent CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13. The oath of office will be administered by President Droupadi Murmu.

The announcement was made by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who posted on X: “In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 14th May, 2025.”

Justice Gavai will serve a tenure of a little over six months and is scheduled to demit office on December 23, 2025, upon attaining the age of 65 years.

Significantly, Justice Gavai will become only the second Chief Justice of India from the Scheduled Caste community, following Justice KG Balakrishnan, who retired in 2010.

His elevation follows the established convention of seniority in the Supreme Court. CJI Khanna recommended Justice Gavai’s name to the Central Government on April 16.

Sujata Chaturvedi appointed as UPSC Member

By
LO Bureau
-
0

Union Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi (IAS: 1989: BH) has been appointed as a Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) by the President of India under Article 316(1) of the Constitution. She is currently scheduled to superannuate on 30 June 2025.

Appointed nearly two months before retirement, Chaturvedi brings with her a rich administrative background. Prior to her current role as Union Sports Secretary, she served as Additional Secretary (Establishment) in the Department of Personnel & Training (DoP&T). She has also held significant positions in her parent cadre Bihar, including Principal Secretary (Finance), and served as Deputy Director General at UIDAI.

As per Article 316(2) of the Constitution, her tenure as a UPSC member will be six years from the date she assumes office, or until she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. The terms and conditions of service are governed by the UPSC (Members) Regulations, 1969, as amended from time to time.

The UPSC is headed by a Chairperson and can have up to 10 Members.

Telangana govt sends 7 names to UPSC for DGP’s appointment

By
LO Bureau
-
0
Indian Police Service

In the midst of continuing confusion and uncertainty over who becomes the next DGP, the Telangana govt is reported to have sent a list of seven senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), for the selection of a new police chief for the state.

This list includes the names of CV Anand (IPS:1991:TG), Ravi Gupta (IPS:1990:TG), Jitender (IPS:1992:TG), B Shivadhar Reddy (IPS:1994:TG), Shikha Goel (IPS:1994:TG), Soumya Mishra (IPS:1994:TG) and K Sreenivasa Reddy (IPS:1994:TG). Out of these seven names, the UPSC will pick three whose names will be sent to the Telangana government to pick the officer of its choice as DGP.

Special Chief Secretary (Home) Ravi Gupta is the senior most DG-rank officer on the list, who has the experience of serving as an acting DGP from Dec 2023 to July 2024.

But sources indicate that Hyderabad Police Commissioner C V Anand and DG (Intelligence) B Shivadhar Reddy are real frontrunners. Both have more than a year left for retirement. While Shivadhar’s retirement is due in April 2026, Anand is to retire in June 2028.

According to the Supreme Court guidelines, issued in Prakash Singh case of 2006, a DGP has to be a DG-rank officer and must be appointed for a minimum tenure of two years, irrespective of his/her date of superannuation.

Incidentally, no full-time DGP has been appointed in Telangana ever since the Congress government came to power in Dec 2023. All police chiefs have virtually been in-charges. M Mahendar Reddy was the last IPS officer, appointed as a regular DGP by the previous BRS government in 2018 in line with the SC guidelines.

Since Dec 2022, many officers, like Anjani Kumar, Ravi Gupta and Jitender, were posted as DGP (coordination) but were given the full additional charge of DGP, but no full-fledged DGP was appointed.

At Legendofficers, we connect governance with the people — offering verified, timely, and transparent updates on India’s top administrative developments. From DGP appointments to key reshuffles in the power corridors, we ensure you stay informed with credibility. Follow us for ongoing coverage of the Telangana government’s DGP selection process and other crucial bureaucratic decisions.

Anurag Gupta’s fate as J’khand DGP hangs in balance

By
LO Bureau
-
0

The fate of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta (IPS:1990:JH) hangs in balance due to the confrontation between the central government and the Jharkhand government over his continuance as state police chief. A fresh bout of controversy has erupted over the state government’s latest decision to extend the Gupta’s tenure, scheduled to end on April 30.

The central government has now questioned the Jharkhand government’s decision to extend the service of Anurag Gupta as DGP after his retirement. The Union Home Ministry has sent a letter to state Chief Minister Hemant Soren calling its decision to retain Anurag Gupta as DGP beyond his retirement date as wrong.

The JMM government had appointed Gupta as an Acting DGP on July 26, 2024 removing regular DGP Ajay Singh from that post. Gupta was later removed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) during the state Assembly elections and was replaced with Ajay Singh. But once the Hemant Soren-led government came to power after elections, Gupta was reinstated as DGP on November 28, 2024.

In order to formalize Gupta’s appointment, the state government framed a rule outlining the process for DGP appointments and notified Anurag Gupta as the permanent DGP of the state. As according to the rule, the DGP must have a fixed tenure of two years Gupta’s term has to be extended until July 26, 2026.

But the Centre is peeved at this arrangement and hence has decided to intervene. If the centre prevails Gupta’s term may come to an end on April 30, 2025. The outcome of this situation will now depend on the state government’s next move.

On the other hand, the Jharkhand BJP unit has moved the High Court challenging Gupta’s appointment. The petition alleges a blatant violation of Supreme Court guidelines issued in the famous Prakash Singh Vs the Union of India case of 2006. The petition alleges that the state government has “arbitrarily appointed Gupta, whose name was not part of any UPSC- recommended panel.”

The Supreme Court is already hearing a case on this issue and the Jharkhand High Court has fixed June 16 as date for hearing the BJP’s plea. But the larger issue emanating from this whole controversy involves the Union Home Ministry’s stance regarding the validity of the state government’s decision to extend the tenure of its top serving bureaucrat.

(BY-Dinesh Kumar)

1...323334...1,642Page 33 of 1,642

Latest Posts

Legendofficers.com (a venture of Neo Media Network) is a new age news portal that tries to connect bureaucratic efforts to the people. Backed by strong ethics of journalism, legendofficers.com is a single platform for all the updates related to the officers of India.
Contact us: legendofficersofindia@gmail.com
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© legendofficers.com
WhatsApp Icon Join Us on WhatsApp