A day after IPS officer Mohd Mustafa raised a banner of revolt by making clear his intent to move the Supreme Court against denial of Punjab’s police chief’s post to him, the DGP-rank officer has been removed as the chief of the Special Task Force probing the drugs cases in Punjab on Friday. 

Mustafa, who is holding the posts of DGP (STF) in addition to DGP (Punjab State Human Rights Commission), has been alleging that he was “ignored” for the coveted post while alleging that there was a conspiracy to keep his name out.

In protest, he requested the State Government to relieve him as the chief of the anti-drug STF pointing hat he is senior to newly-appointed Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta, who is 1987-batch officer.

Mustafa, a 1985-batch officer, has in fact requested the Chief Minister's office to give him the charge of the State Human Rights Commission. He argued that he fulfilled all the parameters as per the top court guidelines for judging the suitability of the person to head the state police.

Notably, the DGP (STF) reports to the DGP Punjab.

Mustafa would be replaced by 1993-batch ADGP-rank officer Gurpreet Kaur Deo, who is currently on leave. Till her return, the State DGP Gupta would look after the work of DGP STF. 

The reshuffle in the police department was expected after the elevation of Gupta, who was earlier holding the post of DGP (Intelligence). Gupta will be replaced by 1987-batch officer VK Bhawra. In all, total 10 IPS officers have been transferred on Friday. 

Hardeep Singh Dhillon, posted as DGP (law and order), has been given the charge of Punjab Police Housing Corporation chairman, while Jasminder Singh has been given the charge of DGP Railways with independent charge and would directly report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home). 

The 1987-batch officer MK Tiwari has the charge of DGP-cum-managing director Punjab Police Housing Corporation, while 1988-batch officer IPS Sahota has been shifted as ADGP, PAP Jalandhar. Kuldeep Singh has been posted as ADGP (IT & T) wing.

Among others, Jatinder Singh Aulakh has been posted as IG Intelligence in addition to his present charge of IG headquarters, while Hardial Singh Mann has been posted as DIG Intelligence.