YP Singal is Haryana’s new police chief

Pradeep Sharma & Hina Rohtaki

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8

The Haryana Government today appointed YP Singal, a 1983- batch IPS officer, as the Director General of Police. He replaces SN Vashisht who has been shifted as Director General, State Vigilance Bureau.

Though no official reason was given for Vashist’s shifting, appointment of Singal as the new police chief was being speculated in the official circles since the first BJP government led by Manohar Lal Khattar, a former RSS pracharak, assumed office on October 26, 2014. Though Singal appointment seemed to be foregone conclusion given his closeness to the RSS, the decision was delayed against the backdrop of series of crises faced by the Khattar government.

Singal’s family, which has RSS connections, reportedly shares a close rapport with Khattar. The appointment was apparently delayed because of the police face-off with self-styled ‘godman’ Rampal at the Satlok Ashram and Rs 100-crore heist at the Gohana PNB branch. The BJP government found it prudent to delay the appointment as Vashisht, who also had the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections to his credit, was personally mon toring the situation.

“Tackling corruption, especially at the police station- level, and improving law and order in the state would be among my top priorities,” said Singal after taking the charge at Panchkula. Efforts would be made to improve the functioning of the police stations, he said, adding that the force would be made more tech-savvy. Another focus area would be curbing smuggling of drugs and other psychotropic substances, he said. Vashisht said: “My tenure as the DGP saw many challenges but teamwork stood us in good stead in overcoming these challenges. “The Rampal issue  and Gohana heist case  were amicably settled with team work,” he said.