Javeed Ahmed appointed as new DGP of Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: Javeed Ahmed, a 1984 batch Indian Police Service officer, was on Friday appointed as the director general of police by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Ahmed, who had earlier served as the joint director of the Central Bureau of Investigation during central deputation, was serving as the director general (railways).

The post fell vacant after Jagmohan Yadav retired on Thursday. State principal secretary (home) Debashish Panda said Ahmed will take the charge on Friday.

There was a race among IPS officers for the top post after Yadav’s retirement. The officers played all the cards - caste, religion, loyalty to the ruling party, experience as well as closeness to the family members of the ruling Yadav family - to outdo each other for the coveted post.

No consensus could be reached even after several rounds of meetings. Suspense continued till late on Thursday night as home department officers remained in the office awaiting finalisation of the new DGP.

Sources said since chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was at his native village Safai, it was decided that the name of the new DGP will be announced on Friday.

Javeed happens to be the eight DGP to have been appointed in the Samajwadi Party (SP) government which came to power on March 15, 2012. The last DGP Jagmohan Yadav retired from services on Thursday.

Javeed's posting as DGP suits the ruling SP government in ways more than one. While his clean image and professional approach towards policing will help to convey the Akhilesh Yadav government's inclination to improve the law and order situation in the state, him being a Muslim is slated to go down well with the minorities which form a major vote bank for the party.