Ending all speculation, the Union Government on Wednesday announced the name of Alok Kumar Verma as the new Delhi Police Commissioner. Verma — a 1979 batch IPS officer of the Arunachal, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre — is currently posted as Director-General of Delhi Prisons.
Verma’s name was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister on Wednesday. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the only other member of the ACC.
Official orders will be issued by lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung as he is the administrator of Delhi. Department of Personnel and Training is believed to have sent the ACC approval to the l-G’s office.
Sources said that Verma may be asked to take over the reins of the Delhi Police before the superannuation of current Police Commissioner BS Bassi, who is likely to be appointed as Information Commissioner with Central Information Commission (CIC). Bassi will demit office on the last day of this month.
Verma has held several important posts with the Delhi Police. He had served as DCP of North East and South district, Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch). He has also served as Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence), Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) and Special Police Commissioner of Police (Administration) the number two post in the Delhi Police hierarchy. Verma had also held posts of Puducherry Director General of Police for two terms, and as DGP of Mizoram.