CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: 1987-batch IPS Viresh Kumar Bhawra, who served at key postings in Punjab and centre at Intelligence Bureau (IB), has been made the new director general police (DGP) of the state.
His appointment comes at a time when Punjab is caught in a controversy over security lapse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Ferozepur trip on January 5.
Bhawra has been selected from a UPSC panel that had his batchmate and former DGP Dinkar Gupta and 1988-batch IPS Prabodh Kumar.
“On the consideration of panel from UPSC, the governor of Punjab is pleased to appoint Viresh Kumar Bhawra, IPS as DGP Punjab (head of police force). His term shall be for a minimum period of two years from the date of assumption of office in pursuance of orders of Supreme Court of India dated July 7, 2018,” said an order by Anurag Verma, principal secretary, home department, Punjab.
Bhawra, who holds degrees in B.SC.(Engg.), LL.B., master of human rights, master in public administration and LLM, holds an unblemished record of a police career.
His wife Anjali Bhawra, also an IAS, is serving at the Centre . She is serving as secretary at department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities at the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Bhawra was also handpicked by the EC to become nodal officer and help then CEO V K Singh in 2017 assembly polls.
He is known for his quiet working style and non-political affiliations. His announcement also comes on a day when EC is announcing the election dates for all states that go to polls.