Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Rajasthan government has appointed 1990 batch IPS officer Ravi Prakash Meharda, currently serving as the Director General (DG) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), with the additional charge of the Director General of Police (DGP) for the state. This significant development comes as the former acting DGP, Utkal Ranjan Sahu (UR Sahu), 1988 batch IPS officer, has opted for voluntary retirement and has subsequently been appointed as the new Chairman of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).
Transition in Top Police Leadership
The top police leadership in Rajasthan saw a notable change today. UR Sahu, who had been serving as the acting DGP since 2023, tendered his Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), which was promptly approved by the state government. Following the approval of his VRS, Sahu was immediately given the crucial responsibility of leading the RPSC as its new chairman. This move created a vacancy for the state’s top police post, leading to the interim appointment of Ravi Prakash Meharda.
Read Also: BIG: Rajasthan DGP Utkan Ranjan Sahoo Appointed New Chairman of RPSC – Who Will Be the Next DGP?
Who is Ravi Prakash Meharda?
Ravi Prakash Meharda is a highly experienced and respected IPS officer from the 1990 batch. A native of Jaipur, Meharda has a strong academic background, holding degrees in Economics, along with MPhil in Social Science and an MBA. He is also noted to have pursued a Ph.D. His intellectual prowess is often highlighted alongside his reputation as a sharp and effective officer.
Meharda was born on June 13, 1965, and rose through the ranks, being promoted from the Rajasthan Police Service to the Indian Police Service.
A Career of Diverse Experience
Throughout his distinguished career, Ravi Prakash Meharda has held various critical positions, demonstrating his versatility and leadership capabilities. He has served as the Inspector General (IG) of Kota and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), gaining experience in both state and central policing roles.
More recently, he assumed the charge as the Director General of the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), a post he is currently holding. His appointment as DG, ACB, was a recent development, and he had been actively involved in the state’s fight against corruption.
Short Stint as DGP
While Meharda has been given the additional charge of DGP, his tenure in this top role will be brief. Sources indicate that IPS Ravi Prakash Meharda is scheduled to retire from service on June 30, 2025. This means he will hold the additional charge of DGP for a limited period, likely until the government appoints a full-time successor through the due process, which typically involves a panel recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
This interim arrangement ensures continuity in the state’s police administration following UR Sahu’s departure and new role at the RPSC.