Race for the new Director General of Police (DGP) is gradually getting interesting with more and more names coming into the league of aspirants, as State Government is likely to be considering the new police chief in the screening committee meeting.
State Government had drawn flak from different quarters for seeking no objection certificate from Punjab Government for inter-state transfer of 1983 batch senior IPS officer SK Sharma and Chief Minister had to clarify that no such move for inter-state transfer of officer, is being considered.
However, senior officials in the State Government said that Sharma still stands in the list of contenders as State Government had not clearly informed the Ministry of Home Affairs that they do not want Sharma but has said that Sharma name will be considered as and when required.
As of now, State Government will be considering names of three senior Himachal Pradesh cadres Indian Police Service (IPS) officers along with names of two Punjab cadres IPS officers. Among the names to be considered from HP cadre are 1984 batch Somesh Goyal on central deputation at Shashtra Seema Bal (SSB), 1985 batch Sanjay Kumar is also on central deputation with Northern Central Railways at Patna and is likely to be returning to state on July 23 and 1986 batch IPS Sita Ram Mardi currently ADGP CID with Himachal Pradesh police.
Among the officers from neighbhouring State Punjab cadre include 1982 batch director general (vigilance bureau) Suresh Arora and 1983 batch officer SK Sharma. The screening committee is likely to meet on July 20 to discuss the names.
Sources said that among all the contenders Sanjay Kumar and SK Sharma names are among the top runners but the final decision still rests with the State Government.
The incumbent DGP B Kamal Kumar is likely to retire on July 31 and he has himself given in writing that he does not want extension in the post as he wants to serve his home State Andhra Pradesh and be with his family.
“If only State Government decides not to make SK Sharma considered close to former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh as DGP, Sanjay Kumar could be the next DGP owing to being Himachal cadre officer,” said a senior official.
Though Arora has also shown his interest and has even sent his requisition, but it is unlikely his name will be considered by State Government. B Kamal Kumar is being succeeded by his batch mate ID Bhandhari who was shifted to home guards in the wake of the infamous telephone tapping case in which FIR has been lodged last week. Both Bhandhari and Kumar are 1982 batch officers.