Mumbai: In a significant reshuffle in Maharashtra’s police administration, the state government has appointed 1994 batch senior IPS officer Deven Bharti as the new Commissioner of Police, Mumbai. The move comes following the retirement of incumbent Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, an IPS officer 1989 batch, on Wednesday.
Mr Bharti, originally from Bihar, is currently serving as the Special Commissioner of Police, Mumbai – a position specifically created by the Eknath Shinde – Devendra Fadnavis-led government in 2023 amid political opposition. His appointment marks a key moment in Maharashtra’s policing landscape, as he takes over one of the most high-profile law enforcement posts in the country.
Decorated Career Spanning Key Roles
Deven Bharti, 56, hails from Darbhanga in Bihar and holds a Master’s degree from the Delhi School of Economics. His policing career has been deeply rooted in Mumbai, where he served in various key roles including DCP in Zone 7, DCP in the Crime Branch, Additional Commissioner (Crime Branch), Joint Commissioner (Law and Order), and chief of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
He was instrumental in the investigation of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks – a role that significantly raised his professional profile. A senior police official once remarked that Bharti “knows the city and its underworld well,” underscoring his deep intelligence network and operational expertise.
A Trusted Officer of Fadnavis
Known to be a close confidant of Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Bharti previously served as the Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) during Fadnavis’s earlier term as CM. His elevation to the Commissioner’s role further underscores the CM’s trust in him, with sources suggesting that Bharti’s extensive network and operational experience in Mumbai’s crime and law enforcement circles were major factors behind the appointment.
He will assume office while still holding the rank of Additional Director General (ADG), breaking a long-standing norm. For over 15 years, the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner had been reserved for officers of the Director General (DG) rank. However, in Bharti’s case, the government has downgraded the post to the ADG level, a move that has raised eyebrows in bureaucratic and political circles.
The Contenders
Thoough there were several contenders, Mr Bharti was always the favourite to take over the post. Another leading contender was Sanjay Kumar Verma, a 1990-batch IPS officer and one of the most senior in the running. In addition to him, Bipin Kumar Singh (Director General, State Security Corporation), also an IPS officer of 1990 batch, who is set to retire in October 2025, and 1992 IPS officer Ritesh Kumar (Director General, State CID) were also considered. Both officers hold the rank of Director General, making them technically eligible for the Commissioner’s post.
Among women officers, Archana Tyagi, a 1993-batch IPS officer, was also a candidate. Currently serving as the Managing Director of the Maharashtra Police Housing and Welfare Corporation, Tyagi is widely respected in the force. Had she been appointed Commissioner, it would have resulted in all three top posts in the state – Chief Secretary (IAS Sujata Saunik), DGP (IPS Rashmi Shukla), and Mumbai Police Commissioner – being held by women.
Another name that surfaced in the media for the role was Sadanand Date, a 1990-batch officer currently on central deputation and serving as the head of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The Future of Mumbai Policing
Mr Bharti is expected to be promoted to the rank of Director General in August and is scheduled to retire in 2028. As he takes charge of Mumbai Police, Bharti inherits a complex and challenging law-and-order landscape in one of India’s most dynamic cities. His extensive background, political backing, and intimate knowledge of Mumbai’s crime scene are expected to play a critical role in shaping the city’s policing in the years ahead.
