New DGP Will Be Appointed In Punjab: Sidhu Effect

New DGP will be appointed in Punjab, the contest between Bhavra and Sahota: Effect of the resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Following the resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu as Punjab Congress President, the Charanjit Singh government has started the process of appointing a new DGP.

Sidhu had objected to the appointment of Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota as acting DGP after Dinkar Gupta went on leave.

Now the Charanjit Singh Channi government has sent the list of names of officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the appointment of a new DGP.

Sahota’s name is also on this list. There is likely to be a contest between BK Bhavra and Iqbalpreet Singh Sahota for the post.

State Congress President Navjot Sidhu got angry with the appointment of Sahota, the head of the first SIT set up to investigate the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, as acting DGP.

The government has sent the names of the officers to the UPSC to persuade them and to be a permanent DGP. It is noteworthy that Sidhu had resigned from the post of state Congress president on Tuesday.

Sidhu wanted Punjab’s most senior IPS officer Siddharth Chattopadhyay to be appointed as DGP. The government has also sent his name.

The names were sent on the night of September 30 because Chattopadhyay would retire on March 31.

Had the names not been sent to UPSC by September 30, he would have been out of the race as six months of service is required to be appointed as DGP.

Dinkar Gupta is on leave, the post of DGP is not technically vacant.

Now the question arises whether the post of DGP can be considered vacant at this time as the present DGP Dinkar Gupta is on casual leave till October 2. Officials have different opinions about this.

That is why in the file of officers sent to DGP it is specifically written that it has been two years since Dinkar Gupta was appointed as DGP. So the government is no longer obliged to retain them.

A new DGP has to be selected in his place. A senior official said that the Supreme Court has directed that no DGP can be removed before two years.

Dinkar Gupta will return from leave on October 3. He will be appointed to some other post. By the way, he has also sought permission to go on deputation to the center and he is trying for it.

Sent the names of these officers to UPSC.

Iqbalpreet Singh Sahota: The choice of Chief Minister Charanjit Channi. Will retire on 21 August 2022. He also gets along well with Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa these days.

Chattopadhyay: The choice of State Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu.

If there is no technical problem then Sidhu can put them under pressure, but whether Home Minister Randhawa will be ready for this is also a big question.

MK Tiwari: Senior most officer after Chattopadhyay and Dinkar Gupta, but only five months left in service.

VK Bhavra: IPS officer of 1987 batch. He is an undisputed officer and he has been getting the charge of DGP during Dinkar Gupta’s leave.

Prabodh Kumar: IPS officer of 1988 batch. As soon as the Chief Minister changed, permission was sought to go on deputation at the Center.

Rohit Chaudhary: 1988 batch officer. He also has only six months of service left.

Parag Jain: IPS officer of 1989 batch. His retirement is in 2026. Presently on deputation at the center.

Sanjeev Kalra: This is also a 1989 batch officer. His retirement is also in 2026.

BK Uppal: His name is also in the list sent to UPSC, but has gone on leave for the time being.