Ranchi/Jamshedpur: In a major administrative reshuffle triggered by recent law-and-order controversies, the Jharkhand government has removed IPS officers Piyush Kumar Pandey and Nidhi Dwivedi from their respective district police chief posts and attached them to the Police Headquarters in Ranchi.
The husband-wife IPS duo, considered among Jharkhand’s prominent young police officers, was relieved of command following separate incidents that drew widespread public and political criticism. While Pandey’s removal came after the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old man in Jamshedpur allegedly in the presence of police personnel, Dwivedi was shifted amid allegations of police excesses against tribal residents in Seraikela-Kharsawan.
The state government has simultaneously appointed IPS Ehtesham Waquarib as the new Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of East Singhbhum and IPS Manoj Swargiary as the new Superintendent of Police (SP) of Seraikela-Kharsawan.
Chief Minister Orders Immediate Administrative Action
Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the decision, stating that negligence in maintaining law and order would not be tolerated.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said both officers had been removed from their district assignments and attached to the Police Headquarters due to failure in effectively controlling criminal activities and maintaining public order.
He asserted that public safety remains the government’s top priority and warned that strict action would continue against both criminals and officials found negligent in discharging their responsibilities.
To closely monitor the situation, the government has directed the Kolhan Divisional Commissioner, the Additional Director General (ADG), Ranchi, and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) to camp in the affected region and oversee law-and-order arrangements.
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Jamshedpur Murder Triggered Major Crackdown
The immediate trigger for the administrative action was the brutal murder of 24-year-old Himanshu Singh, who succumbed to injuries after being stabbed outside a pub-cum-bar in Jamshedpur’s Bistupur area.
According to police, the incident began inside the establishment where Himanshu and his friend Pratyush Singh allegedly got into an altercation with another group. Some reports suggested the duo had objected to the alleged harassment of a woman inside the bar.
The confrontation later spilled onto the streets, where Himanshu and Pratyush were allegedly attacked.
CCTV footage that surfaced after the incident reportedly showed assailants dragging Himanshu from near a police vehicle before fatally stabbing him, while police personnel allegedly failed to intervene effectively.
Pratyush sustained serious injuries and continues to undergo treatment.
The incident sparked widespread outrage across Jharkhand and intensified criticism of the local police’s response.
SSP Had Suspended Police Personnel Before His Own Removal
Before being relieved of his post, then East Singhbhum SSP Piyush Kumar Pandey suspended Bistupur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Alok Dubey and several police personnel for alleged negligence and dereliction of duty during the incident.
However, the disciplinary action failed to stem mounting criticism over the breakdown of law and order, eventually leading to Pandey’s removal.
Victim’s Family Assured Government Support
Following negotiations between the district administration and Himanshu Singh’s family, the victim’s last rites were performed on Wednesday.
The administration offered employment to Himanshu’s widow through an outsourced agency while assuring the family that a proposal for a permanent government job would be forwarded to the state government.
Seraikela-Kharsawan Deputy Commissioner Nitish Kumar, who participated in the discussions, also informed the family that five accused had been arrested, while raids were continuing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Police have announced a ₹2 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of the absconding prime accused, Vishwanath Mandal alias Bodra.
Security Tightened Ahead of Jamshedpur Bandh
Amid rising public anger, the administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across six police station areas:
- Bistupur
- Sakchi
- Sonari
- Kadma
- Mango
- MGM
The restrictions were imposed ahead of the Jamshedpur bandh called by the BJP on July 3 to protest the deteriorating law-and-order situation.
Nidhi Dwivedi’s Removal Linked to Tribal Assault Allegations
While Piyush Pandey’s removal followed the Jamshedpur murder case, Nidhi Dwivedi, who was serving as SP of Seraikela-Kharsawan, was shifted amid allegations of police excesses involving tribal residents.
The controversy relates to the alleged assault of Alpana Mahali, an Adivasi woman from Kandarbera Rehabilitation Colony.
According to reports, Mahali sustained serious injuries after allegedly being assaulted during nearly three hours of interrogation at a police station in connection with a missing person investigation.
Following the incident, three police personnel were suspended, but criticism of the district police continued, adding to the pressure on the state government.
Who Are IPS Officers Piyush Kumar Pandey and Nidhi Dwivedi?
Piyush Kumar Pandey and Nidhi Dwivedi are Indian Police Service officers belonging to the Jharkhand cadre and are among the few IPS couples serving in neighbouring districts.
Both officers hail from Uttar Pradesh and come from engineering backgrounds before entering the civil services.
IPS Piyush Kumar Pandey
Piyush Kumar Pandey is a 2014-batch IPS officer.
He holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree and joined the IPS after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
During his career, he has served in several important assignments across Jharkhand, including postings in:
- Crime Investigation Department (CID)
- Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP)
- District policing assignments
Most recently, he was serving as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), East Singhbhum (Jamshedpur).
IPS Nidhi Dwivedi
Nidhi Dwivedi belongs to the 2013 batch of the Indian Police Service.
She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree and entered the IPS as a direct recruit through the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Over the years, she has held several key assignments in Jharkhand Police, including postings in CID, Jharkhand Armed Police and district policing.
Before the latest reshuffle, she was serving as the Superintendent of Police, Seraikela-Kharsawan.
A High-Profile IPS Couple
The husband-wife duo has often attracted attention due to their simultaneous postings in strategically important neighbouring districts.
Their professional careers have frequently been highlighted as an example of an IPS couple managing senior law enforcement responsibilities while serving in executive policing roles.
Their transfer to the Police Headquarters marks one of the most high-profile administrative actions taken by the Hemant Soren government against serving district police chiefs in recent years.
New District Police Chiefs Appointed
Following the reshuffle, the Jharkhand government has appointed:
- IPS Ehtesham Waquarib as Senior Superintendent of Police, East Singhbhum (Jamshedpur).
- IPS Manoj Swargiary as Superintendent of Police, Seraikela-Kharsawan.
The appointments are aimed at restoring public confidence and strengthening policing in the two districts following recent controversies.
