Chandigarh, January 11
Mr A.S. Bhatotia, an IPS officer of the 1968 batch, will be the new Director-General of Haryana Police. Mr Bhatotia’s name was approved by the Election Commission of India for appointment as the DGP in place of Dr M.S. Malik, whose transfer was ordered by the commission yesterday for the alleged violation of the code of conduct. A two-member team of the commission had earlier inquired into the allegations that the Haryana Police recruited a large number of Sub-Inspectors and constables after the code came into force on December 17. Dr Malik’s transfer was ordered by the commission after the team submitted its report.

The commission also approved a proposal submitted by the Haryana Government to promote IAS officers of the 1977 batch to Financial Commissioner. Among the beneficiaries will be Mr Krishan Mohan, Home Secretary of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The other beneficiaries are Mr Raj Kumar, Commissioner, Rohtak division; Mr P.K. Chaudhery, Commissioner and Secretary, Cooperation; Mr Manik Sonawane, Commissioner, Animal Husbandry; and Mr S.C. Chaudhary, Commissioner, Industries.

It will not be for the first time that Mr Bhatotia will take over as the DGP. It is also not for the first time that he would head the Haryana Police at the time of elections. Mr Bhatotia was appointed DGP in May, 1999, by the Bansi Lal Government. The 1999 Lok Sabha elections were conducted when he was the DGP. However, the Chautala Government later shifted him and made Dr Malik the DGP.

Holder of the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Services, Mr Bhatotia underwent a 10-week command course in England. He had been the police chief of Jind, Sirsa, Gurgaon and Sonepat. He also headed the Gurgaon and Rohtak ranges as their DIG. He also functioned as the DIG, CID, considered to be one of the important posts in the police hierarchy. For the past three years, Mr Bhatotia had been working as the Director-General, Prisons.

The formal orders of Mr Bhatotia’s appointment will be issued tomorrow.

Earlier in the day the state government transferred Dr Malik and directed him to hand over the charge to Mr. C.P. Bansal, Additional Director General, Police Headquarters.

The government sent a panel of of officers to the commission for its approval. The officers whose names were sent to the Commission were Kanwar Nirmal Singh, Mr Bhatotia and Mr K. Koshi, who is the seniormost Additional Director-General of Police.

Informed sources say the government had written to the commission that Kanwar Nirmal Singh had filed personal affidavits in certain cases pending in the courts against the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala. The commission was also informed that a vigilance inquiry was pending against him. The government, it seemed, did not want Kanwar Nirmal Singh to become the DGP.

Mr Malik will continue to function as Director, State Vigilance Bureau.