Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has promoted two senior IPS officers, Sanjeeb Panda and Y.K. Jethwa, to the rank of Director General of Police (DG) after approval from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
According to sources, both officers belonging to the 1994 batch have been elevated from the rank of Additional Director General (ADG) to DG. Panda is serving as ADG in charge of anti-Naxal operations and the Special Intelligence Wing.
Jethwa, who presently serves as Director of Vigilance, had earlier been on central deputation from 2015 to 2020. During this period, he held the position of Inspector General in the Special Protection Group (SPG) under the Prime Minister’s Office.
Panda’s elevation is being closely watched as he emerges as a strong contender for the top police post, with incumbent DGP Y B Khurania completing his two-year tenure on August 16.
Panda’s chances have further improved after the UPSC reportedly received adverse feedback from the Central Bureau of Investigation about Susanta Kumar Nath, DG (Prisons), in connection with the sub-inspector recruitment scam. Nath, who earlier headed the Odisha Police Recruitment Board, oversaw examinations that were cancelled last year amid allegations of question paper leaks; the matter was subsequently transferred to the CBI.
The state is expected to forward a fresh panel of probable DGP candidates, comprising Sarangi, Koche, Panda and Jethwa, to the Union Public Service Commission for shortlisting three names.
Comments are closed.