M A I N   N E W S

Suresh Arora is new Punjab DGP
Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service

Know the man Suresh Arora, a 1982-batch IPS officer, was currently serving as the DGP-cum-Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau He has served as the SSP in almost all districts of the state and had played a crucial role in fighting terrorism in the state He was posted as the SP (Headquarters), Amritsar, at the time of Operation Black Thunder I and as the SSP, Amritsar, at the time of Operation Black Thunder II

Chandigarh, April 3
The Election Commission of India tonight appointed Suresh Arora the Director General of Police, Punjab. He was selected from among three officers whose names were forwarded to the ECI by the state government for the post after DGP Sumedh Singh Saini proceeded on a long leave.

Arora, a 1982-batch IPS officer, was currently serving as the Director General of Police-cum-Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau. The other two names sent to the ECI by the Punjab Government for being considered for appointment as the DGP were that of GD Pandey and Sanjiv Gupta.

Saini had reportedly proceeded on leave to avoid his removal from the post of DGP. His leave application was sent to the ECI late last night, following which the hunt for the new DGP began.

Top officials in the ECI said the decision to appoint Arora the Punjab DGP was taken at a meeting held tonight.

Arora has an unblemished service record. He played a crucial role in fighting terrorism. He was posted as the SP (Headquarters), Amritsar, during Operation Black Thunder I and as the SSP, Amritsar, at the time of Operation Black Thunder II.

He has served as the SSP in almost all districts, besides serving as the DIG, CM Security, after the assassination of then CM Beant Singh. A postgraduate in law from the University of London, Arora has won various gallantry medals and awards, including the President’s Meritorious Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Prakram Medal.

Sources said all these things were taken into account before the ECI appointed him the DGP.

Saini’s transfer was sought by the Congress on the grounds that he had been chargesheeted in a criminal case. Senior Congress leaders, including sitting MPs, had also approached the ECI seeking Saini’s transfer. They said Saini enjoyed close proximity to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister and would not allow free and fair elections in the state.