With Shaik Darvesh Saheb retiring, Kerala awaits its next DGP

As Kerala’s incumbent Director General of Police (DGP) Shaik Darvesh Saheb (IPS:1990:KL) prepares to hang up his boots on June 30, speculation is intensifying over who will take charge as the next head of the state police force. Saheb was appointed as DGP on June 27, 2023, and completes his two-year term this month.

According to the Supreme Court’s guidelines laid down in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case, only IPS officers with at least 30 years of service and a minimum of six months left before retirement are eligible to be considered for the post of state DGP.

In Kerala, excluding the outgoing DGP, only five IPS officers currently meet the 30-year service criteria. Among them, just four officers have more than six months of service remaining, effectively narrowing the field.

The eligible officers are:

• Nitin Agarwal (IPS:1989:KL) – Currently serving as Road Safety Commissioner, Kerala.
• R.A. Chandra Sekhar (IPS:1991:KL) – On central deputation as Special Director, Intelligence Bureau. Recently appointed Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat, and is expected to replace Harinath Mishra after his retirement on July 31, 2025.
• Yogesh Gupta (IPS:1993:KL) – Director General, Fire and Rescue Services.
• Manoj Abraham (IPS:1994:KL) – Director, Vigilance.

Among these, R.A. Chandra Sekhar and Manoj Abraham have emerged as frontrunners. According to senior police sources, Chandra Sekhar is likely to return to the state if offered the top post. However, if he chooses to continue on central deputation, Manoj Abraham is expected to feature in the three-member panel that the UPSC will forward to the state government for final selection.

Meanwhile, sources suggest that the state government is not considering Nitin Agarwal for the position. As for Yogesh Gupta, his chances are believed to be slim. His strained relationship with the Chief Minister’s Office during his previous posting as Vigilance Director led to his transfer to Fire and Rescue Services. Gupta has since applied for central deputation. However, despite seven reminders from the Centre, the state government has reportedly not responded with a vigilance clearance, further dimming his prospects.

With the retirement of Shaik Darvesh Saheb just days away, all eyes are now on the state government and UPSC to finalize Kerala’s next police chief. (By-Rajeev Singh)