The Haryana government announced on Thursday evening a fresh set of transfers affecting four senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, part of a wider administrative reshuffle that began a day earlier. The changes assign officers to roles across prisons, vigilance, training and human-rights oversight.
Alok Mittal has been given additional charge as managing director of the Haryana Police Housing Corporation along with the added responsibility of director general of prisons. Arshinder Singh Chawla has been appointed director general of the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Kalaramchandran will take over as director of the Haryana Police Academy at Madhuban, and C S Rao has been posted as additional director general (human rights and litigation).
Haryana IPS transfers
The announcements came a day after the state issued orders transferring two IPS officers and six officers of the Haryana Police Service (HPS). Among those moved earlier was Ganga Ram Punia, who was posted as superintendent of police of the anti-corruption bureau. Narendra Bijarnia, another IPS officer, was given charge as superintendent of police in Karnal.
Bijarnia’s reassignment follows his removal from the post of Rohtak superintendent of police amid growing controversy over the alleged suicide in October of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. Kumar’s final note named eight officers, including Bijarnia and senior IPS officer Shatrugjit Kapoor, and criticised what he described as caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation and ill-treatment. The case has provoked opposition criticism and intensified calls for accountability within the state police.
In addition to the IPS movements, six HPS officers were transferred. Those named in the order include Jeet Beniwal, Sushil Kumar, Monica, Munish Sehgal, Anil Kumar and Shakir Hussain. The combined set of postings affects leadership across enforcement, investigation and administrative wings of the state police.
Officials said the transfers aim to ensure effective leadership in departments that deal with sensitive matters such as corruption, human rights and prisoner management. Assigning an experienced officer to the police academy at Madhuban underlines the government’s focus on training and capacity building for the force.
Political parties and civil-society groups have reacted to the timing and composition of the reshuffle. Critics say routine transfers are insufficient unless accompanied by transparent inquiries and systemic reforms, particularly in the wake of allegations surrounding Y Puran Kumar’s death. Supporters of the government argue that reassignments are a standard administrative tool to refresh leadership and tackle operational challenges.
These transfers come amid heightened public interest in police conduct and internal accountability mechanisms. Appointments to the vigilance bureau and the human-rights and litigation wing will be watched closely as indicators of the administration’s approach to oversight and corrective action.
Orders for the latest transfers have been issued by the state administration and will take effect immediately. Observers say further adjustments are possible depending on the outcomes of ongoing inquiries and political developments in the state.
Key Takeaways:
- Haryana IPS transfers: four senior Indian Police Service officers reassigned to new roles, including vigilance, prisons and police training.
- The reshuffle follows an earlier order moving two IPS and six HPS officers, signalling broader administrative adjustments.
- One appointment and a recent removal are linked to controversy over the alleged suicide of officer Y Puran Kumar, increasing political scrutiny.
- Moves include key posts in anti-corruption, human rights and the Haryana Police Academy, with implications for accountability and public confidence.
