Punjab appoints new DGP amid PM’S security breach row
CHANDIGARH: Hours before the model code of conduct for assembly elections came into force on Saturday, the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Punjab government appointed 1987-batch IPS officer Viresh Kumar Bhawra as the state’s director general of police (DGP).
Bhawra will replace 1986batch IPS officer S Chattopadhyaya, who landed in a controversy over a security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ferozepur on January 5. On Friday, Chattopadhyaya, along with 13 other officers, was issued a show-cause notice by the home ministry for the “major security lapse”.
An official familiar with the matter said Chattopadhyaya was replaced as his name was not included by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in the list of three officers sent to the state government earlier this week and in view of the row over the security lapse.
Besides Bhawra, who was previously the DGP of Punjab Home Guards, the other two officers were Dinkar Gupta and Prabodh Kumar. “On the consideration of the panel received from the UPSC, the Punjab governor is pleased to appoint Viresh Kumar Bhawra, IPS as director general of police, Punjab (Head of Police Force),” a state government order said. “His term shall be for a minimum period of two years from the date of assumption of office in pursuance of the Supreme Court orders,” it added.
According to the SC guidelines, out of three shortlisted officers by the UPSC, the state government finalises the name of one officer for the appointment of a DGP.
Immediately after his appointment on Saturday, Bhawra transferred 47 deputy superintendents of police.