Gehlot turns Surat police commissioner

Surat, the diamond city and financial hub of Gujarat, finally has a new police commissioner after a concerning 73-day vacancy. Anupam Singh Gehlot, previously serving as Vadodara's police commissioner, has been appointed to the post by the EC. This comes after the state government failed to make a timely appointment following the retirement of Ajay Tomar on January 31st.

The delay in appointing a police commissioner caused significant worry in Surat. During the vacancy, the city witnessed a rise in crime, with reports of 27 murders, 30 rapes, 226 vehicle thefts and burglaries, and numerous other criminal incidents.

Sources close to the matter claim that the transfers of IPS officers were finalised a day before the code of conduct came into effect for the Lok Sabha elections on March 16. Anupam Singh Gehlot was chosen to be Surat's commissioner, but the transfer was allegedly stalled due to internal conflicts and political manoeuvring within the IPS cadre.

Gehlot, an IPS officer of the 1997 batch, brings with him a wealth of experience. He has served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Bhavnagar and Patan, held the position of Vadodara Range IG, and has experience as police commissioner in both Rajkot and Vadodara.

The citizens of Surat can now hope for a return to normalcy with the appointment of a permanent police commissioner. Gehlot's experience and leadership will be crucial in tackling the city's recent crime surge and ensuring the safety and security of its residents.