With DGP Sulkhan Singh set to retire on September 30, the race for the top cop’s post in Uttar Pradesh has begun.
While at least half a dozen IPS officers have started pulling their strings, Singh is also looking forward to get an extension. But so far, the government has not given any indication about a possible extension and preparations for Singh’s farewell has started being supervised by SSP lucknow, Deepak Kumar. The farewell parade is likely to take place at lucknow Reserve Police lines on September 25.
ources confirmed that while senior IPS officer Rajnikant Mishra is the front runner for the coveted post while DG (CISF) Om Prakash Singh of 1983 batch too could be a choice for the BJP government.
Another officer on deputation, Arun Kumar, is also keen to get the top cop’s post in UP. However, the government would select the new DGP taking into consideration the caste angle in view of the coming 2019 lok Sabha elections. Also, Kumar had occupied plumposts in the previous SP regime.
As per the IPS seniority list in UP, Praveen Singh (1982 batch) is the senior most followed by is batch mate Surya Kumar Shukla. If the government sticks to the seniority clause, then Praveen Singh would get a nine-month tenure to lead the Up Police before retiring in June next year.
The state government also has an inclination for DG, Intelligence, Bhavesh Kumar Singh of 1987 batch. In that case, several officers will have to be superseded.
Suklhan Singh, a 1980 batch IPS officer, was appointed DGP of UP on April 21 last year. He replaced Javeed Ahmed, who was annointed to the top post by the previous Samajwadi Party regime superseding several officers.