HomePunjabIs Sidharth Chattopadhyaya a five days DGP?

Is Sidharth Chattopadhyaya a five days DGP?

Is Sidharth Chattopadhyaya a five days DGP?

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in

In a late-night reshuffle, the Punjab government has appointed Sidharth Chattopadhyaya , a 1986 batch IPS officer as officiating director general of police replacing IPS Sahota, who is also officiating, as DGP Punjab.

The appointment has created a buzz in the administrative, political circles that “Is Chattopadhyaya a five days DGP?” as the much-awaited meeting of the UPSC for shortlisting a panel of three officers for the post of regular DGP from the state government forwarded officers list, has been scheduled on December 21 in New Delhi, just five days from today.

It is expected that on December 21, UPSC may send three names from the ten member’s panel list sent by the state government, for appointment of regular DGP. Now IPS Sahota, Dinka Gupta, BK Bhawra, Parbodh Kumar, Sanjeev Kalra, Parag Jain, BK Uppal will be considered for the prestigious post, as Sidharth Chattopadhyaya becomes ineligible for the post of regular DGP. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has set October 5 as the cut-off date with criterion of six months of remaining service for the selection of the state police chief. He along with 1988-batch IPS officer Rohit Chaudhary are now out of the DGP race as they have less than mandatory six months period” said an official on the condition of anonymity. The apex court has already issued guidelines set for the selection of a DGP, only those officers with at least six months of service left will be considered for the job.

Is Sidharth Chattopadhyaya a five days DGP? -Photo courtesy-Internet
Sidharth Chattopadhyaya

The development comes as a surprise as Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota is considered close to chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi . He was made DGP despite pressure from Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Navjot Sidhu to remove him.

From the very first day, since the change of guard in the state, Navjot Singh Sidhu is advocating for Chattopadhyaya and CM Channi for Sahota. As it was Chattopadhyay, then in the Vigilance Bureau, who had arrested Parkash Singh Badal in a corruption case in 2003. A few years ago, Chattopadhyay was also appointed head of a special investigation team (SIT) by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to probe the role of senior police officers in the sale of illicit narcotic drugs in Punjab. His report remains in a sealed cover with the High Court.

As per the orders issued by principal secretary home department, along with his new assignment, Chattopadhyaya, a 1986-batch IPS officer, will continue to hold the charge of DGP, Punjab state power corporation limited (PSPCL) where as IPS Sahota will continue as DGP, PAP, Jalandhar.

Speculations are rife that DGP Sahota, has himself stepped down expressing his inability to “follow some orders which the government wants him to execute under pressure from the certain political quarters.” Earlier ADGP bureau of investigation (BOI) SK Asthana has also denied to take action against akali dal leaders and went on medical leave.

Navjot Sidhu back in the driver’s seat? DGP changed midnight in Punjab

December 17,2021

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