Jabalpur: Anu Beniwal (IPS: 2022: MP) is a 2022-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre who has recently drawn attention after being assigned the inquiry into allegations against former Katni City Superintendent of Police Neha Pachisia. Beniwal, who is currently posted as Additional Superintendent of Police in Jabalpur, entered the IPS after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination on her fourth attempt.
From Delhi to the Civil Services
Anu Beniwal was born on April 26, 1992, in Pitampura, Delhi. According to her official IPS civil-list record, she joined the Indian Police Service on August 29, 2022, as a direct-recruit officer and has the IPS identity number 20221079.
She pursued higher education at Hindu College, University of Delhi, studying science before working in the field of nanoscience research. Multiple profiles of her career have reported that she later shifted her focus towards the Civil Services Examination.
Four Attempts at UPSC
Beniwal’s UPSC journey involved multiple attempts. Her first attempt did not result in selection, while she reached the Main examination in her second attempt but did not make the final list.
In her third attempt, she secured All India Rank 638. However, she did not receive the service she wanted and continued preparing for another attempt.
In the 2022 Civil Services Examination, her fourth attempt, Beniwal secured AIR 217 and was selected for the Indian Police Service. Her optional subject was Geography.
From Bihar Cadre to Madhya Pradesh Cadre
Beniwal was initially allotted the Bihar cadre. In October 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs approved her inter-cadre transfer from Bihar to Madhya Pradesh on the grounds of her marriage to fellow 2022-batch IPS officer Ayush Jakhar, who is also serving in the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
The official IPS civil list subsequently records Beniwal as a Madhya Pradesh-cadre officer and lists her posting as SDOP, Manawar, Dhar, from September 2024.
Posted as ASP in Jabalpur
In June 2026, the Madhya Pradesh government transferred Beniwal from her posting as Additional Superintendent of Police in Gwalior to the same rank in Jabalpur. The state police’s own website subsequently identified her as Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural), Jabalpur.
Inquiry Into Katni CSP Neha Pachisia
Beniwal came into the spotlight after she was assigned the inquiry into complaints against then-Katni CSP Neha Pachisia.
The complaints included allegations concerning irregularities in a murder investigation and an alleged extortion case. The inquiry was entrusted to Beniwal by the Jabalpur Range Inspector General. During the investigation, statements of people connected with the matter were recorded, and Pachisia appeared before Beniwal for questioning in August 2026.
Separate reports said Beniwal was handling two major inquiries involving allegations against Pachisia, including a complaint related to an alleged land deal and another concerning alleged illegal collection of money.
Pachisia was subsequently suspended by the Madhya Pradesh government after allegations relating to a land transaction and alleged misuse of police authority. The allegations remain matters of investigation and should not be treated as established findings unless confirmed by a final judicial or departmental determination.
A Family With Two IPS Officers
Anu Beniwal is married to Ayush Jakhar, another 2022-batch IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. The couple were both posted as Additional Superintendents of Police in Jabalpur following the June 2026 reshuffle.
Beniwal’s journey to the IPS followed several attempts at the Civil Services Examination, preceded by her education in Delhi and work in nanoscience research.
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