New Delhi, Mar 19: Following the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to transfer the current Director-General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal, Rajeev Kumar, IPS officer Sanjay Mukherjee has been appointed as the new DGP for the state.
The appointment of Mr. Mukherjee by the ECI comes swiftly after the West Bengal government named Vivek Sahay as the new DGP in response to Mr. Kumar’s transfer.
In a memorandum addressed to the State Chief Secretary, ECI secretary Rakesh Kumar confirmed the Commission’s approval of Mr. Mukherjee’s appointment and instructed immediate compliance, with confirmation required by 5 p.m.
A senior official explained that Mr. Sahay’s appointment was based on his seniority. However, due to his scheduled superannuation in the final week of May, coinciding with the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections, the poll panel opted for Mr. Mukherjee as the new DGP.
This reshuffle in the state’s top police leadership comes in the midst of preparations for the general elections, with West Bengal’s 42 Lok Sabha seats scheduled for polling across seven phases. Mr. Kumar had assumed the role of the state’s DGP just three months ago.
According to the commission, Mr. Kumar’s transfer is part of its broader efforts to ensure a level playing field and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
