Bhawra’s quick elevation a calculated move

IPS officer VK Bhawra was elevated as the director general of police (DGP) barely one hour before the model code of conduct for the upcoming state polls came into force on Saturday. The lastminute change is being attributed in police circles to fear within the Congress government that if continued with the incumbent officiating DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya, the EC may bring back Dinkar Gupta to head the police force. Gupta, removed by the present Channi government from the DGP’S post on October 4 last year, was in the panel of three IPS officers sent by the UPSC for appointment to the top job. Apparently, retired DGP Mohd Mustafa, whose wife is a minister in the present Congress government, played a key role in convincing the Channi dispensation about the pros and cons of the situation.