In a key development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prematurely repatriated senior IPS officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu (IPS:1992:PB) to his parent cadre, Punjab. The order was issued on September 22, while Sidhu was serving as Additional Director General (ADG) in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The move comes on his personal request under provisions of the IPS tenure policy. His decision is seen as significant, coming shortly after the Centre appointed Praveen Kumar (IPS:1993:WB) as Director General of ITBP, even though Kumar is junior to Sidhu.
This is not the first time cadre dynamics have influenced Sidhu’s career path. In March 2022, when the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab named his batchmate Gaurav Yadav (IPS:1992:PB) as acting DGP of Punjab, also junior to him in seniority, Sidhu opted for central deputation. He went on a four-year central posting in October 2022 and was scheduled to return to Punjab only in October 2026.
Sidhu had previously served as ADGP (Prisons) in Punjab before moving to the Centre. Known for his professionalism, he was elevated as Special DGP in Punjab cadre and is now set to resume state duties. Sidhu is due to retire on February 10, 2028.
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