By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: IPS officer Rajwinder Singh Bhatti, who became the Director General of Police (DGP) of Bihar on December 18, 2022, had a tenure scheduled to last until September 30, 2025. Bhatti was tasked with the challenging goal of making Bihar crime-free. However, less than two years into his tenure, the search for a new DGP has already begun, as Bhatti has sought permission from the Bihar government to go on central deputation, a request which was promptly granted.
Among the top contenders for the role of DGP is DG Vinay Kumar, a 1991 batch IPS officer currently serving as DG of the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation. Vinay Kumar is highly regarded for his honesty and is considered the frontrunner for the position.
Another strong candidate is Shobha Ahotkar, a 1990 batch IPS officer and the current DG of Home Guard and Fire Brigade. Alok Raj, a 1989 batch IPS officer and the DG of the Vigilance Bureau, is also in the race. Raj, known to be one of the Chief Minister’s favoured officers, is a serious contender for the role.
Additionally, an ADG-level officer is being considered for the position but is preparing to go on central deputation. In the meantime, ADG Nayyar Hasnain Khan of the Economic Offenses Unit has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Bihar government to proceed with his central deputation and is awaiting approval from the central government. As a result, another officer will take over his responsibilities in the Economic Offenses Unit.
Former IPS officer Amitabh Kumar Das explained that the Bihar government typically prepares a list of three senior IPS officers, which is then sent to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Bihar government usually includes its preferred choice in the list, and the UPSC often accepts the recommendation, resulting in the appointment of the government’s preferred candidate as DGP.
Rajwinder Singh Bhatti, before becoming DGP, had previously served in Bihar as Additional Director General in the Border Security Force (BSF) and as City SP in Patna. Bhatti was renowned as an encounter specialist, gaining recognition in 2005 for arresting Bahubali leader Mohammad Shahabuddin in Delhi and bringing him to Patna.
