Lucknow: In a major late-night administrative reshuffle, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday transferred 24 IPS officers, including Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) of 11 districts. The reshuffle also includes promotions, new postings, and key responsibilities in important districts and police commissionerates.
Among the prominent appointments, Dr. Kaustubh, a former eye surgeon who served in the medical profession for seven years before joining the IPS, has been appointed as the new SSP of Gorakhpur, the Chief Minister’s home district.
Major Police Department Reshuffle
The large-scale reshuffle affects several strategically important districts, including Gorakhpur, Amethi, Meerut, Saharanpur, Raebareli, Pilibhit, Sultanpur, Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Kheri, and Basti.
- 24 IPS officers transferred
- SPs and SSPs changed in 11 districts
- 6 district SPs promoted to DIG rank
The reshuffle is being seen as a move to strengthen law and order and streamline police administration across the state.
Key Senior-Level Appointments
Praveen Kumar Appointed ADG Zone Lucknow
Praveen Kumar, earlier posted as Inspector General (IG) Ayodhya Range, has been promoted and appointed as Additional Director General (ADG), Zone Lucknow.
Sujit Pandey Made DG Fire & Emergency Services
- Sujit Pandey, a 1994 batch IPS officer, has been promoted and appointed as Director General (DG), Fire Services and Emergency Services.
- Considered one of the sharpest officers in the force, Pandey was previously serving as ADG Zone Lucknow.
Changes in Ayodhya and Mirzapur
- Somen Verma, who was serving as SP Mirzapur, has been transferred to Ayodhya.
- Mr Verma was recently promoted to the Inspector General (IG) rank and replaces Praveen Kumar.
Dr. Kaustubh Appointed SSP of Gorakhpur
- Dr. Kaustubh, earlier posted as SP Jaunpur, has been appointed SSP Gorakhpur.
- Before joining the IPS, Kaustubh worked as an eye surgeon for seven years, making his career transition one of the most talked-about aspects of the reshuffle.
- Gorakhpur holds political significance as the Chief Minister’s city.
Previous Gorakhpur SSP Promoted
Raj Karan Nayyar, who was serving as SSP Gorakhpur, was promoted on January 1 and has now been appointed as Additional Commissioner of Police, Ghaziabad.
Anukriti Sharma Transferred to Gautam Buddh Nagar
- Anukriti Sharma, a 2020 batch IPS officer, has been transferred to Gautam Buddh Nagar as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police.
- She gained statewide attention for uncovering an insurance scam worth over ₹100 crore in Sambhal.
- She also came into the spotlight earlier in Bulandshahr after ensuring immediate electricity connection to a widow’s house upon finding it in darkness during a visit.
New SSPs and SPs: Officer Profiles
Sukirti Madhav Mishra
- 2015 batch IPS officer, born in 1988
- Native of Malaypur village, Jamui district, Bihar
- Previously posted in Agra LIU
- Gained national attention after reciting the poem “I am Khaki…” before Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 4, 2020
Kunwar Anupam Singh
- 2013 batch IPS officer
- Came into controversy in August 2023 after transfer from Kannauj to Amroha
- MP Subrat Pathak alleged irregularities in SHO postings
- The order was later canceled by the IG Kanpur
Avinash Pandey Appointed SSP Meerut
- 2015 batch IPS officer
- During his tenure in Pilibhit, police neutralized three Khalistani terrorists in an encounter
- Later posted in the Special Security Force (SSF), Lucknow
- Now appointed as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Meerut
Aparna Rajat Kaushik
- 2015 batch IPS officer, Now Posted as SP Mirzapur
- Served as SP in Amethi, Kasganj, and Auraiya
- Held posts in Ghaziabad, Shahjahanpur, and Lucknow
- Known for cracking down on mafia and organized crime while serving as DCP in Lucknow
- Left a career in business analysis to join the police force
Khyati Garg
- 2013 Batch IPS Officer
- Served in Moradabad, Lucknow and Amethi
- Now Posted as SP of Lakhimpur Kheri, one of the key district in Terai Region of UP
Additional Transfers in Police Commissionerates
The reshuffle also includes several postings in commissionerates –
- Alok Priyadarshi, ACP Ghaziabad → ACP Varanasi
- Raj Karan Nayyar, SSP Gorakhpur → ACP Ghaziabad
- Sankalp Sharma, DIG Mirzapur → Joint CP, Kanpur Commissionerate
- Vipin Tada, DIG & SSP Meerut → Joint CP, Kanpur Commissionerate
Significance of the Reshuffle
The reshuffle reflects the government’s intent to –
- Strengthen law and order machinery
- Place experienced officers in sensitive districts
- Ensure effective policing ahead of upcoming administrative and political challenges
