Kejri-baiter gets UPSC berth

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 31

The Centre today appointed former Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi, who had a controversial tenure with several face-offs with the Arvind Kejriwal government, as UPSC member, a Constitutional post with five-year tenure.

The government today cleared the name of the 60-year-old former police officer of the 1977 batch from the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has a maximum strength of 10 members, besides a chairperson. With Bassi's appointment, the commission is in its full strength.

Bassi will have the tenure of about five years till February 2021. Under the Constitution, a member of the UPSC can have a maximum of six-year tenure or till he attains the age of 65 years. 

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His stint as the Delhi Police chief, especially towards the end, had come for criticism after the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar over sedition row. 

The former police Chief was involved in a running battle with the AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal with five of its legislators arrested under different counts during Bassi's tenure. 

"Bhim Sain Bassi took the oath of office and secrecy as member, UPSC today. The oath was administered by Deepak Gupta, Chairman, UPSC," a press release issued by Personnel Ministry said.

During his career spanning over 38 years, Bassi has held several important positions such as Special Commissioner (Traffic), Special Commissioner (Vigilance), Delhi Police, Inspector General, Chandigarh police and DGP, Goa Police. (With PTI inputs)