The controversy-swept tenure of BS Sidhu as the State’s  top cop drawing to end on Saturday, decks have been cleared for the 1986 batch IPS MA Ganapathy to assume charge as the ninth DGP of the State.

The departmental promotion committee (DPC) comprising chief secretary and others met on Thursday following which the State government released the government order (GO) on late Thursday night, giving the seal on Ganapathy’s appointment. Ganapathy who was on deputation in the Union ministry of home, joined Uttarakhand police as additional DGP on April 18 this year.

Besides Ganapathy, there   was another name- IPS SK Bhagat – doing  the  rounds. However,   Ganapathy was finally favoured with the appointment. He met the Governor Dr KK Paul at Rajbhawan on Friday. He reached police headquarters too and interacted with the police officials. But he chose to steer clear of the media.

However, there is a rupture of the norms this time. On previous occasions, the new DGP was selected only after his predecessor retired or was transferred. Observers say that Sidhu getting embroiled anew in an old controversy over harassment charges leveled by a former head clerk of CSC/RPF office of Central Railway, Mumbai Manju Sree Jain had hastened things a bit. 

When Harish Rawat was the Chief Minister speculation of Sidhu being given extension was running in the administrative and police circles. It was known to all that Sidhu was close to the ex-CM. Rawat is supposed to have sent a proposal to the Central government on Sidhu being given an extension. However, the sudden regime change with the Governor taking up the reins under the President’s Rule came in the way. Observers say that, generally, extension is not given to any official upon his retirement by the government operating under the President’s Rule.