The process of appointing a new Director General of Police (DGP) in Chhattisgarh has gained momentum as the tenure of the current DGP, Mr. Ashok Juneja, a 1989-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer, is set to expire on February 3, 2025. Initially due to retire on July 4, 2024, Mr. Juneja received a six-month extension, which concludes early next year.
The state government had earlier submitted a panel of three names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the selection of the new DGP. The names included Mr. Pawan Dev (1992-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer), Mr. Arun Dev Gautam (1992-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer), and Mr. Himanshu Gupta (1994-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer). However, the UPSC returned the panel, raising concerns about the inclusion of only three names, contrary to the prescribed norms.
Revised Panel in the Works
As per the rules, a panel must consist of five names. If there are fewer than five DG-rank officers in the state, the list must include names of Additional Director General (ADG)-rank officers to meet the requirement.
Sources indicate that the state government is now preparing to submit a revised panel with five names. In addition to Mr. Pawan Dev, Mr. Arun Dev Gautam, and Mr. Himanshu Gupta, the revised panel will include Mr. Gurjinder Pal Singh (1994-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer) and Mr. Shivram Prasad Kalluri (1994-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer).
This development reflects the state’s efforts to ensure compliance with UPSC guidelines and facilitate a smooth selection process for the new DGP, who will play a critical role in maintaining law and order in Chhattisgarh.
