New Delhi: The Central Government has assigned additional responsibilities to two senior IPS officers following the superannuation of Alok Ranjan (IPS:1991:MP), who retired on June 30, 2026, after serving as Director, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) while also holding the additional charge of Director General, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
According to official notifications issued on Tuesday, Sanjay Mathur (IPS:1994:TN) and Ravi Joseph Lokku (IPS:1995:UP) have been entrusted with the additional charge of the two premier police organisations with immediate effect.
Sanjay Mathur Gets Additional Charge of NCRB Director
Senior IPS officer Sanjay Mathur (IPS:1994:TN), currently serving as Inspector General (IG), National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), has been entrusted with the additional charge of Director, NCRB following the retirement of Alok Ranjan.
Mathur will continue to discharge his existing responsibilities while overseeing the country’s premier crime data and criminal information agency until further orders or a regular appointment is made.
The NCRB functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and plays a pivotal role in maintaining national crime databases, publishing annual crime statistics, supporting criminal justice agencies through technology, and managing platforms such as the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS).
Ravi Joseph Lokku to Hold Additional Charge as DG, BPR&D
The government has also entrusted Ravi Joseph Lokku (IPS:1995:UP), presently serving as Additional Director General (ADG), Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), with the additional charge of Director General, BPR&D.
Lokku succeeds Alok Ranjan, who had been holding the additional responsibility of heading the Bureau alongside his role as NCRB Director.
As the head of BPR&D, Lokku will oversee policy research, police modernisation initiatives, training standards, correctional administration reforms, and capacity-building programmes aimed at improving policing across the country.
Leadership Transition After Alok Ranjan’s Retirement
The appointments ensure continuity in the functioning of two of the country’s most critical police institutions after the retirement of Alok Ranjan.
During his tenure, Alok Ranjan simultaneously headed both the National Crime Records Bureau and the Bureau of Police Research and Development, contributing to modernisation initiatives, technology-driven policing, crime analytics, police reforms, and capacity building.
With his retirement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has opted for an interim arrangement by assigning additional charge to senior officers already serving within the respective organisations.
Role of NCRB
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is responsible for:
- Maintaining India’s national crime database.
- Publishing the annual Crime in India report.
- Managing the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS).
- Supporting law enforcement agencies through criminal databases and digital policing initiatives.
- Facilitating information sharing among police forces across the country.
Role of BPR&D
The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) serves as the country’s premier police think tank and is responsible for:
- Research and policy development on policing.
- Police modernisation and technology adoption.
- Training and capacity building of police personnel.
- Development of policing standards and best practices.
- Research in correctional administration and prison reforms.
Interim Arrangement Until Regular Appointments
The Centre has made these appointments as an interim administrative arrangement following Alok Ranjan’s retirement. Both Sanjay Mathur and Ravi Joseph Lokku will continue to hold the additional responsibilities until regular appointments are made or further orders are issued.
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