The Gujarat government has appointed senior IPS officer K L N Rao as the in-charge Director General of Police (DGP) for the state. This move comes immediately after the retirement of the incumbent police chief, Vikas Sahay, who demitted office on Wednesday.
Transition at the Top
K L N Rao, a 1992-batch Indian Police Service officer, currently serving as the DGP for CID (Crime and Railways) in Gandhinagar, has been given the additional charge. An official notification from the state home department confirmed the appointment with immediate effect, stating it will remain valid until further orders.
The appointment is seen as a precursor to Rao becoming the full-term head of the state police. The state home department has formally forwarded Rao's name to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for clearance. A senior official stated that once the UPSC approval is received, Rao will be appointed as the full-term DGP and head of the police force.
Outgoing Chief's Tenure Marked by Challenges
The retired officer, Vikas Sahay, a 1989-batch IPS officer, first took charge as the in-charge DGP on January 31, 2023. He was later elevated to the post on a full-term basis. Earlier this year, his tenure was extended by six months as the process to select the next police chief was not finalized.
Sahay's term faced several significant challenges. His tenure saw recurring paper leak scandals affecting government recruitment examinations. A similar issue had emerged in 2018 when Sahay chaired the Police Recruitment Board, leading to the cancellation of the Lok Rakshak Dal exam after a leak.
Furthermore, internal friction within the police establishment became public in mid-2025. A dispute between the CID (Crime) and the State Monitoring Cell over a businessman's fraud complaint escalated, requiring intervention by senior officers and resulting in the suspension of an official for delays in the case.
Focus on Cohesion and Oversight
Rao emerged as the frontrunner for the top post, edging out other contenders including Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G S Malik, a 1993-batch officer. With Rao now at the helm, the immediate focus for the Gujarat police leadership is expected to be on restoring internal cohesion and strengthening oversight mechanisms within the force.
The appointment marks a critical transition for Gujarat's law enforcement apparatus, with the new in-charge DGP poised to take full command pending the final nod from the central authorities.
