Chandigarh, October 31
The Haryana Government has appointed Mr Ranjiv Singh Dalal, a 1974 batch IPS officer, as the DGP of the state following Mr Nirmal Singh’s retirement today.

According to a press note issued from the police headquarters, Mr Dalal took over from the outgoing DGP after a brief official ceremony.

The new DGP has superseded Mr Vikas, who is four years’ senior to him in the IPS cadre.

An official spokesman said Mr Vikas’s claim was overlooked because of the recent Supreme Court’s directive on getting the DGP’s appointment approved by the UPSC. Mr Dalal’s empanelment with the Central Government for the ADGP’s post apparently gave him the edge over Mr Vikas, who now holds the post of DGP (Prisons) in Haryana.

Another officer superseded by Mr Dalal is Mr Koshy Koshy, a 1973 batch IPS officer. Mr Koshy is now with the Central Government on deputation.

Mr Dalal (54), whose ancestral village is in Jhajjar district, was awarded the President’s Police Medal on three occasions. In 1980 he received the gallantry medal, in 1991 the medal for meritorious service and again in 2006 the medal for distinguished service. Mr Dalal was also a Professor of Political Theory and Constitutional Law at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration for three years.

Mr Dalal was posted with the Border Security Force in Punjab when his stint with the central paramilitary force was cut short and he returned to Haryana. He was then posted as the Director of the State Vigilance Bureau (SVB) on May 18. His return to the state had triggered speculation that he would be appointed the DGP after Mr Nirmal Singh’s retirement.

The post of SVB Director has now fallen vacant following Mr Dalal’s appointment as the DGP. Mr Dalal is slated to retire from service in October, 2012. A total of 14 IPS officers of Haryana, including 10 junior to Mr Dalal, will retire before the new DGP reaches the age of superannuation.

Mr M.S. Malik, former Haryana DGP who has been suspended from service by the Congress government in the state for his alleged role in the recruitment of police personnel, also retired today.