Photo Credit: tv9hindi.com
Two IPS officers are embroiled in a dispute over the appointment to the post of DGP of Punjab. On one side is IPS VK Bhavra, who has an exceptional service record of 35 years and is known for his dedication and professionalism. On the other side is IPS Gaurav Yadav, who is currently the DGP of Punjab Police. Bhavra has challenged the appointment of Gaurav Yadav as Director General of Punjab Police in the Central Administrative Tribunal, which will be heard on October 30 today.
There is a controversy surrounding the alleged illegal manner in which Gaurav Yadav was appointed as DGP of Punjab Police. Bhavra argued that Yadav’s appointment was in violation of the provisions of the Punjab Police Act, 2007 and the Supreme Court order in the case of Parkash Singh and others. Bhavra claims that he should be reinstated as DGP of Punjab Police as recommended by UPSC and as his first appointment.
Who is IPS VK Bhavra?
VK Bhavra is a highly skilled IPS officer of 1987 batch. The UPSC recommended him for appointment as Punjab Police Chief in 2020 and 2022. He has held various senior positions in his 35 year long career. At present he is holding the post of DGP Home Guard in Punjab. Bhavra has worked in areas such as intelligence, provisioning and modernization, information technology and telecommunications and human rights.
Bhavra has been honored with prestigious awards like the Police Medal for Distinguished Services and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. He has also held key positions in the Intelligence Bureau of the Government of Assam and India. In Punjab he has proved his expertise in maintaining law and order and has served as SSP of Mansa, DIG of Patiala range and IG in Bathinda.
Bhavra’s family is also associated with journalism. His father Gopalram, who died nine months ago at the age of 91, was a freedom fighter. His brother, Yogesh Bhavra and his wife are senior journalists. Apart from these, Bhavra’s wife is a reputed IAS officer. Bhavra was appointed DGP of Punjab on January 8, hours before the implementation of the code of conduct for the assembly elections on February 20, but the Aam Aadmi Party was unhappy about it. It is learned that the AAP government was not satisfied with the way Bhavra handled the law and order crisis. Meanwhile, he was sent on leave. Bhavra is going to retire on 31 May 2024.
Who is IPS Gaurav Yadav?
Gaurav Yadav is currently posted as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab. He was appointed as acting DGP in July last year and has been in the post for over eight months now. His appointment comes after Viresh Kumar Bhavra was sent on leave.
Ignoring the seniority of 1987 batch and now Special DGP (Intelligence) Prabodh Kumar, Special DGP Railways Sanjeev Kalra (1989 batch) and his own batch mates Sharad Satya Chauhan and Harpreet Singh Sidhu, 1992 batch IPS Yadav was selected for the post. was gone According to the Supreme Court order, all of them are eligible for the post of DGP.
Gaurav Yadav, who is already working as Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is considered close to the AAP’s national high command. The state government has also issued orders to remove senior officials from regular postings and send them on independent postings, but these orders have been withdrawn and new orders are likely to be issued in this regard.