New Delhi: In a key administrative move, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assigned SBK (Shashi Bhushan Kumar) Singh, an IPS officer of 1988 batch from AGMUT cadre, currently serving as Director General of Home Guards, Delhi, with additional charge as Commissioner of Police, Delhi, effective August 1, 2025.
This interim appointment comes as Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora (IPS:1988:TN) retires from service on July 31, concluding his official tenure. Mr Arora was the third non-AGMUT cadre officer after Ajay Raj Sharma (Uttar Pradesh cadre) and Rakesh Asthana (Gujarat) to head the Delhi Police.
MHA Issues Official Order with Competent Authority’s Approval
The official notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that SBK Singh’s appointment was made with the approval of the competent authority, and he will discharge dual responsibilities until a full-time Commissioner is appointed.
SBK Singh: A Senior Officer with Extensive Experience
Mr Singh is among the senior-most IPS officers of the AGMUT cadre, with decades of experience in urban policing, security management, and administrative leadership. He has held various strategic positions in Delhi and Union Territories and is well-acquainted with the capital’s complex law enforcement landscape.
Mr Singh has served in several key positions over his 30-year career, including with the Delhi Police, RAW, and in regions such as Arunachal Pradesh and Puducherry. Known for his technological expertise, integrity, and strategic thinking, Singh currently holds the position of Director General, Home Guards (Delhi Police).
As Director General of Home Guards, he has played a significant role in community policing and civil defense coordination in Delhi.
The Policing Career
In the early years of his career, Singh served as ACP Karol Bagh, then as Additional DCP South, DCP North-East, and DCP Central. He also headed the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). His leadership trajectory continued as he rose to become Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence and Security), and later Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order). In his last posting, he oversaw 85 police stations across 7 of Delhi’s 14 districts.
Security Chief During US President Visit
He was the security chief during US President Barack Obama’s visit to India for Republic Day in 2015. That same year, he also managed security arrangements for the Indo-Africa Forum Summit (October 2015), attended by heads of state and representatives from 54 countries.
Tackled Big Cases
Mr Singh has earned a reputation as a professional, sensitive, and investigation-oriented officer. He played a key role in several high-profile investigations, including the Uphaar Cinema fire case, the Ponty Chadha murder case, and various land scam cases.
Background & Education
Mr. Singh is an alumnus of Sainik School Tilaiya (Hazaribagh, Jharkhand) and a graduate of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University (Class of 1986). He was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) at a young age and later went on to complete an MBA in Human Resource Management.
Widely regarded as a technology pioneer, he has developed several digital tools, including the Lost Report mobile app and the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) web application, to streamline police services and enhance public access.
Delhi Awaits Permanent Police Chief
This interim posting comes amid ongoing deliberations over the appointment of a full-time police chief for the National Capital Territory, a post critical to law and order management and coordination with central agencies.
Transition Comes at a Sensitive Time
Delhi’s law enforcement landscape continues to face challenges ranging from urban crime, protests, VIP security, and cybercrime. The appointment of an experienced officer like SBK Singh ensures administrative continuity and experienced oversight during this transitional phase.
