Kolkata: Even as West Bengal’s political temperature rises ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, discussions have intensified within administrative circles over the appointment of the state’s next Director General of Police (DGP). The current DGP, IPS officer Rajiv Kumar, is set to retire on January 31, prompting speculation about his successor.
The development comes at a time when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the West Bengal government are locked in a confrontation following an ED raid on the I-PAC office, an issue that has triggered sharp exchanges between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) from Kolkata to Delhi.
Rajiv Kumar’s Tenure as West Bengal DGP
Rajiv Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer, assumed charge as the DGP of West Bengal in July 2024. He had earlier taken over the post in December 2023, but was later removed on the orders of the Election Commission of India during the Lok Sabha elections. After the completion of the election process, he was reinstated as the state police chief.
Rajiv Kumar succeeded Manoj Malviya, a 1988-batch IPS officer, who retired from the post of DGP. With Rajiv Kumar now nearing the end of his service tenure, the state government is preparing to appoint a new police chief.
Background and Career of Rajiv Kumar
Rajiv Kumar hails from Chandausi district of Uttar Pradesh. Considered a trusted officer of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he has held several key positions in West Bengal’s policing structure.
An alumnus of IIT Roorkee, where he earned a B.Tech degree in Computer Science, Rajiv Kumar has previously served as:
- Commissioner of Kolkata Police
- Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police
- Chief of the Special Task Force (STF)
His proximity to the Chief Minister and his experience in handling sensitive law-and-order situations have often kept him at the center of administrative and political discussions.
Search for Successor Begins
With Rajiv Kumar’s retirement scheduled for January 31, speculation is rife that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may soon announce the appointment of a new IPS officer as the DGP of West Bengal. According to sources, four senior IPS officers are currently being considered for the top post.
Four IPS Officers in the Race for DGP Post
Anuj Sharma
Anuj Sharma, a 1991-batch IPS officer, is one of the leading contenders. He has previously served as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and is regarded as an experienced officer with deep knowledge of urban policing. Sharma is a resident of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
N. R. Babu (N. Natarajan Ramesh Babu)
Another strong contender is IPS N. Natarajan Ramesh Babu, also from the 1991 batch. He has held several senior positions in West Bengal and is considered administratively seasoned.
Siddh Nath Gupta
Siddh Nath Gupta, a 1992-batch IPS officer, is currently serving as DGP (Intelligence) of West Bengal. Known for his work in intelligence and internal security, Gupta also hails from Uttar Pradesh.
Piyush Pandey
The fourth name in the race is Piyush Pandey, a 1993-batch IPS officer. Like some of the other contenders, he is also from Uttar Pradesh and has held important responsibilities within the state police setup.
Appointment Likely Amid Political Sensitivity
The appointment of the new DGP is expected to be politically sensitive, given the charged atmosphere in the state and the proximity of the Assembly elections. The choice of the police chief will be closely watched, especially in the context of ongoing tensions between central agencies and the state government.
As January 31 approaches, all eyes are on the Chief Minister’s decision, which is likely to play a crucial role in shaping the law-and-order strategy of West Bengal in the coming months.
