MHA Pulls Up AAP Government In Punjab Over Absence Of DGP

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the Punjab government to explain why they still have an officiating head of the state police force for over eight months.

The MHA wrote to the state government questioning the absence of eligible officers' panel for the appointment of a Director General of Police (DGP) as the head of the state force.

According to regulations, a state can designate an officiating DGP for a maximum of six months. In this case, Gaurav Yadav was appointed as the officiating DGP on 5 July last year and concluded his six-month tenure on 5 January.

This development comes on the heels of the Ministry of Home Affairs sending their second letter to the state government concerning policing matters.

The MHA previously questioned the actions of pro-Khalistan protestors in storming the Ajnala police station.

Despite official sources indicating that the state government has not responded to the letter, the government may need to soon send a panel of qualified officers onward as the Supreme Court has already established protocols for selecting a DGP.

The government's procedure delay appeared to be aimed at securing Yadav's appointment despite him not being among the top three on the seniority list. Some officers ahead of him have either moved to central security agencies or faced questions on merit.