The Himachal Pradesh government has appointed Sanjay Kandu (IPS:1989:HP) as the Director General of Police of the state. He will succeed Sita Ram Mardi (IPS:1986:HP), who will superannuate on May 31.
Presently, Kandu is serving as Principal Secretary to the CM besides looking after the excise, taxation and vigilance department.
The Union Public Service Commission had approved the names of three IPS officers. These included Somesh Goyal (IPS:1984:HP), Tapan Deka (IPS:1988:HP) and Sanjay Kandu (IPS:1989:HP). Though Kundu was the frontrunner for the post there was speculation that Somesh Goyal, DGP (Prisons), could be re-installed. He was removed from the DGP post following public outrage on the inept handling of the rape of a minor girl from Kotkhai two years. Tapan Deka was not keen to return to Himachal as he has spent most part of his service in the Intelligence Bureau.
Prior to being posted as Principal Secretary to the CM, Kundu worked as Joint Secretary in the Union Water Resources Ministry. He has worked in leadership roles with the United Nations, and state and national governments. He has served as Police Commissioner in the UN System where he carried out works relating to national capacity building, conflict mitigation, human rights, protection of civilians and humanitarian support.
