The incumbent Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh Vijay Kumar (IPS:1988:UP) is poised to retire on January 31, sparking anticipation and speculation about his successor. The likelihood of appointing an acting DGP for the fourth consecutive time looms large, given that the state government has not submitted a proposal for the selection of a full-time DGP to the Union Public Service Commission, heightening the possibility of an acting appointment.
Insider information suggests that four senior IPS officers are vying for the coveted position. The primary contenders include DG CB-CID Anand Kumar (IPS:1988:UP), DG Prisons SN Sabat (IPS:1990:UP), DG Recruitment Board Renuka Mishra (IPS:1990:UP), and DG Law and Order Prashant Kumar (IPS:1990:UP). Notably, DS Chauhan (IPS:1988:UP), RK Vishwakarma (IPS:1988:UP), and Vijay Kumar (IPS:1988:UP) have previously held the role of acting DGP consecutively, leaving the state police under acting leadership for the past 21 months.
The absence of a panel of names sent by the state government for the selection of a regular DGP opens the possibility for the appointment of a favored officer as acting DGP, particularly to oversee the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. DG CB-CID Anand Kumar and DG Law and Order Prashant Kumar emerge as key figures in this scenario. Despite Prashant Kumar’s prevalent discussions, historical precedence suggests that Anand Kumar, who holds seniority, may have brighter prospects, given the state government’s previous emphasis on seniority in appointing acting DGPs.
The seniority hierarchy indicates that Mukul Goyal (IPS:1987:UP) is the most senior IPS officer in the cadre, though he is not in contention due to his removal from the DGP post in July 2022. Following Goyal, Shafi Ahsan Rizvi (IPS:1989:UP), Aditya Mishra (IPS:1989:UP), PV Ramashastri (IPS:1989:UP), and Daljit Singh Choudhary (IPS:1990:UP) are on central deputation, ruling out their return. Meanwhile, DG Ashish Gupta (IPS:1989:UP) is posted in Rules and Manuals, Sandeep Salunke (IPS:1990:UP) in Human Rights, and Bijay Kumar Maurya (IPS:1990:UP) in Home Guard.
Renuka Mishra and SN Sabat bolster their cases for consideration, having been entrusted with significant responsibilities by the state government. Mishra oversees the Recruitment Board as DG, while Sabat manages the Jail department as DG. Given their substantial roles, the appointment of either Mishra or Sabat to the top post would not be surprising.
