Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur Shifted While on Leave; OP Singh Appointed Officiating DGP

Two months after Director General of Police Shatrujeet Singh Kapur was "sent on leave," and just a day before his scheduled return, the Haryana government issued transfer orders Sunday evening, replacing him with 1992-batch IPS officer OP Singh as "officiating" DGP until further orders.

Timing of Transfer

Kapur, a 1990-batch IPS officer, was asked to proceed on leave following the October 7 suicide of 2001-batch IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. He was scheduled to rejoin Monday, but late Sunday evening, the government issued two transfer and posting orders appointing Singh as officiating DGP.

Singh will continue holding additional charge as Director General of the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB). He had been given additional charge of DGP after Kapur was sent on leave. Singh is due to retire on December 31, making his appointment temporary pending a permanent solution.

New Assignment for Kapur

Kapur has now been given the charge of Chairman of the Haryana Police Housing Corporation, a significant demotion from the state's top police post. This lateral transfer effectively removes him from operational policing duties while keeping him within the government structure.

The transfer assumes significance as it creates a formal vacancy in the top post of Haryana Police, necessitating a fresh appointment through proper channels.

UPSC Panel Process

Earlier this month, the Haryana government had sent a panel of officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for selecting a new DGP. However, the UPSC returned the panel, stating there was no vacancy for the post as Kapur was only on leave—not transferred or removed.

With Kapur's transfer now formalized, the government can forward a fresh panel of eligible officers to the UPSC, which will recommend three names. The government will then select one for appointment as DGP, following the established procedure for top police appointments.

Background of Leave

The controversy began when 2001-batch IPS officer Y Puran Kumar died by suicide at his Sector 11 residence on October 7. In his suicide note, Kumar named Kapur along with 14 other serving and retired IAS and IPS officers. Kumar's family insisted on Kapur's removal as DGP, among other demands, as a condition for cremation.

On October 14, the government asked Kapur to proceed on leave and gave additional charge of DGP to Singh, creating the current temporary arrangement that has now been formalized through transfer orders.

The situation highlights the delicate balance between administrative continuity and responding to serious allegations against senior officials.