Lucknow: In a major administrative overhaul aimed at strengthening policing and governance, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday transferred 44 Additional Superintendents of Police (ASPs) across the state.
A significant aspect of the reshuffle is that 33 of these officers were recently promoted from the rank of Deputy SP (Circle Officer) and have now been assigned fresh responsibilities. The large-scale movement of officers is being viewed as a strategic step to enhance efficiency, improve law enforcement, and inject new energy into the police administration.
‘Lady Singham’ Shrestha Thakur Posted to ATS Lucknow
One of the most notable transfers in the list is that of Shrestha Thakur, a 2012-batch PPS (Provincial Police Service) officer and popularly known as “Lady Singham,” who has been appointed as ASP in the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Lucknow. She was earlier serving as ASP in Baghpat.
Originally from Unnao, Shrestha Thakur cleared the UPPSC/PCS examination in 2012. She first came into the limelight in 2017 while serving as Circle Officer in Bulandshahr, when a video of her confronting a political party worker over issuing a challan went viral. Following the incident, she was transferred to Bahraich near the Nepal border.
Recently promoted to the ASP rank, her posting in the ATS is being seen as a significant responsibility, reflecting the administration’s trust in her capabilities.
Tanu Upadhyay Gets Key Role in PAC
Tanu Upadhyay, a 2012 batch PPS officer, has been appointed as Deputy Commandant in the 37th Battalion of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) in Kanpur. She was previously serving as Assistant Commandant in the same unit.
Known for her active presence and impactful work, Tanu Upadhyay gained widespread attention in 2025 when she interviewed Infosys Foundation co-founder and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty regarding the arrangements for the Mahakumbh. The interaction garnered significant attention on social media and within administrative circles.
Her elevation to Deputy Commandant is seen as a crucial move to further strengthen operational discipline within the PAC.
Sneha Tiwari Appointed ADCP in Kanpur
Sneha Tiwari has been assigned the role of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) in the Kanpur Nagar Commissionerate. A 2012-batch PPS officer, she hails from Chunar in Mirzapur district.
She began her service in 2014 with postings in Varanasi (Sadar and Dashashwamedh circles), followed by assignments in Jhansi and Chandauli. In Chandauli, she served as DSP in the Sakaldiha area and played a key role in implementing the Mission Shakti campaign, earning appreciation for her efforts.
Recently promoted to ASP, she was serving in Chandauli before being given this new responsibility. Her husband is posted as an executive magistrate in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh.
Key Transfers Across the State
The reshuffle includes a wide range of postings across districts, commissionerates, and specialized units:
- Abhay Mishra has been transferred from the Vigilance department to Noida and appointed as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Noida Commissionerate.
- Swayam Singh has also been posted in Noida following his promotion.
- Manoj Kumar Gupta has been transferred from Hamirpur to ASP, PTC Sitapur.
- Arvind Kumar moves from Chitrakoot to ASP, Hamirpur.
- Akhand Pratap Singh has been posted as Deputy Commandant, 33rd Battalion PAC Jhansi from Sultanpur.
- Braj Narayan Singh shifts from ADCP Lucknow to ASP Sultanpur.
- Hari Ram Yadav moves from Deoria to ADCP Prayagraj Commissionerate.
- Smt. Alka has been transferred from ASP CID Meerut to ASP Agra Commissionerate.
- Alok Dubey moves from PAC Meerut to ASP CID Sector Meerut.
- Smt. Shrestha has been transferred from Baghpat to ASP STF Lucknow.
- Mukesh Pratap Singh has been posted as Deputy Commandant, 43rd Battalion PAC Etah from CID Lucknow.
- Hitendra Krishna moves from Women Power Line 1090 Lucknow to ASP CID Lucknow.
- Mukesh Chandra Uttam has been transferred to ASP Legal Cell, Police Headquarters Prayagraj from Shravasti.
- Chandrakesh Singh shifts from Sitapur to ASP Shravasti.
- Manoj Kumar Yadav moves from Mathura to Deputy Commandant, 28th Battalion PAC Etawah.
- Rajesh Kumar Tiwari has been posted as ASP (Traffic) Mathura from Moradabad.
Further transfers include:
- S.N. Vaibhav Pandey to ASP Vigilance Establishment Lucknow from Saharanpur.
- Umesh Kumar Yadav to ASP CID Sector Prayagraj from Bareilly.
- Rafiq Ahmed to ASP CID Sector Gorakhpur from Meerut PAC.
- Saloni Agarwal to Deputy Commandant, 44th Battalion PAC Meerut from Ghaziabad Commissionerate.
- Varun Kumar Singh to ADCP Ghaziabad from Aligarh.
- Swatantra Kumar Singh appointed ADCP in Noida Commissionerate.
- Sanjay Verma to ASP (South) Ballia from Kanpur Dehat.
- Navina Shukla to ASP ANTF (Operations) Lucknow from Meerut.
- Santosh Kumar Singh to ASP (Crime) Etawah from Meerut.
Additional movements:
- Nishtha Upadhyay to ASP CID Sector Bareilly from Shahjahanpur.
- Ram Ashish Yadav to Additional Commissioner of Police Lucknow from Muzaffarnagar.
- Dharmendra Kumar Yadav to Deputy Commandant, 25th Battalion PAC Raebareli from Barabanki.
- Uday Pratap Singh promoted as Deputy Commandant, 42nd Battalion PAC Prayagraj.
- Irfan Nasir Khan to ASP PTS Sultanpur from Meerut.
- Monika Yadav to ASP UPPCL (Madhyanchal) Lucknow from CID Lucknow.
- Samiksha Yadav to Deputy Commandant, 10th Battalion PAC Barabanki from EOW Meerut.
- Vandana Sharma to ASP EOW Headquarters Lucknow from Meerut.
- Ojashwi Chawla retained as ASP in Agra ADG Zone.
- Abhinav Yadav to Deputy Commandant, 20th Battalion PAC Azamgarh.
- Prem Prakash Yadav to Deputy Commandant, 3rd Battalion SSF Prayagraj.
- Avnishwar Chandra Srivastava appointed ASP STF Lucknow.
- Deepak Kumar Singh appointed ASP STF Lucknow.
- Devendra Singh to Deputy Commandant, 39th Battalion PAC Mirzapur from Sultanpur PTS.
- Alok Kumar to ASP CID Kanpur from Vigilance HQ Lucknow.
- Abhishek Tiwari to ASP (Rural) Mainpuri from Meerut.
- Raghavendra Kumar Mishra to Deputy Commandant, 6th Battalion PAC Meerut.
Meanwhile, the transfer order of Chiranjeev Mukherjee, ASP in Lucknow CID, has been cancelled.
Strategic Significance of the Reshuffle
The simultaneous transfer of 44 ASP-level officers is being seen as more than a routine administrative exercise. It reflects a strategic approach aimed at improving operational efficiency, ensuring better law enforcement, and introducing fresh perspectives in policing.
Such reshuffles often help break stagnation, enhance accountability, and bring renewed focus to sensitive assignments.
Government’s Continued Focus on Law and Order
The Uttar Pradesh government has consistently emphasized maintaining strict law and order. Over the past few years, several initiatives have been undertaken to curb crime, strengthen policing, and ensure women’s safety.
This reshuffle is considered a continuation of that effort, with experienced and capable officers being deployed in crucial positions to reinforce governance and security.
Rising Role of Women Officers
A striking aspect of this reshuffle is the prominent role assigned to women officers. The appointments of Shrestha Thakur, Tanu Upadhyay, and Sneha Tiwari to key positions highlight the increasing participation of women in leadership roles within the police force.
This trend reflects a broader push toward gender inclusivity and empowerment, sending a strong message about equal opportunities in public service.
Accountability
The large-scale reshuffle of ASP-level officers in Uttar Pradesh marks a decisive administrative move aimed at strengthening the policing framework. With a mix of experienced leadership and newly promoted officers, the state government appears focused on enhancing efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness in law enforcement. The inclusion of dynamic women officers in key roles further underscores a progressive shift in the structure of policing in the state.
