On Tuesday, the Bihar government implemented a significant reshuffle of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, affecting various ranks including several Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs). This reorganization spans officers from the 2010 to 2022 batches and involves key positions across multiple departments of the Bihar Police.
The changes include assignments in crucial areas such as Prohibition, Vigilance, the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU), the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Human Rights, and Civil Defence, among others. This restructuring aims to enhance the effectiveness of the police force in addressing various challenges within the state.
New police chiefs in key districts
Jha has been transferred to Bihar Police Headquarters in Patna and is awaiting a fresh posting. A constable was subsequently suspended, while the Opposition had also been demanding action against senior police officials. The reshuffle marks a broad reorganisation of Bihar’s police leadership, with changes across sensitive districts and specialised wings dealing with vigilance, prohibition, economic offences, terrorism, human rights and civil defence. The change in Siwan, in particular, is likely to remain under political scrutiny following the recent student protest controversy.
The most significant change is the removal of Puran Kumar Jha, a 2018-batch IPS officer, from his post as Siwan Superintendent of Police. His transfer comes amid the controversy surrounding the Siwan student protest on July 25, during which an AK-47 was allegedly used. Jha’s removal is likely to draw political attention, particularly with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) making the Siwan incident a key issue ahead of its August 19 Lok Bhawan March over student and youth-related concerns.
The reshuffle has also brought changes among several DIG-rank officers. Anil Kumar, a 2010-batch officer, has been appointed DIG, Prohibition and NNTF (Noose and Narcotics Task Force), Bihar. Rajiv Ranjan-2, a 2012-batch officer, has been appointed DIG, Special Vigilance Bureau after serving as DIG, Human Rights.
He was earlier serving as DIG, Finance and Technical Services.
Mrityunjay Kumar Chaudhary, also from the 2010 batch, has been transferred as DIG, Civil Defence.
He was previously posted as DIG, Vigilance Investigation Bureau.
