Following the Bengal formula, the Punjab administration has named IPS Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota from Jalandhar as the officiating director general of police in the midst of a major reshuffle
in state bureaucracy. The former state DGP Dinkar Gupta opted to take a leave due to the ongoing stalemate over the appointment of a new police chief.
The same had happened in West Bengal, as the state administration appointed Manoj Malaviya as acting DGP. This decision was made even before the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
had cleared the name.
The Punjab government, on the other hand, did not even send a panel to UPSC yet and the additional charge for the post is given to IAS Sahota.
Who is IAS Iqbal Sahota?
The newly appointed DGP, Iqbal Singh Sahota is a 1988 batch IAS officer, who is presently serving as special DGP of Punjab Armed Police (PAP) in Jalandhar.
In an order released on Saturday, the Punjab government's department of Home Affairs and Justice announced that 'Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota has been granted additional charge of
the post of Director General of Police, Punjab, in addition to his own duties'. The Governor of Punjab's order went on to say that these orders will come into force with immediate effect.
Diverse experience
The government has assigned DGP duties to Sahota until the procedure for appointing a new DGP is finalised, which will be done by forwarding a panel of officers' names to the Union
Public Service Commission.
Sahota, a Jalandhar native, is known for his calm demeanour and ability to maintain a low profile. He has extensive experience in Punjab service.
During the previous SAD-BJP regime, he was the ADGP for law and order.
S Chattopadhyaya was the first choice
Reportedly, senior to DGP Dinkar Gupta, 1986-batch IAS officer S Chattopadhyaya was the first choice of Navjot Singh Sidhu’s camp. However, Sahota was named for the top post as
he was the first choice of CM Channi.
Senior government officials believe Chattopadhyaya would be named chief director of vigilance, while Harpreet Singh Sidhu, the current chief of the special task force (STF) will be named
the new intelligence chief.