In a significant administrative overhaul, the Bihar Government has transferred 18 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including Senior Superintendents and Superintendents of Police in key districts such as Patna, Purnia, Supaul, Jehanabad, Jamui, and Samastipur. The move, implemented by the Home Department, aims to reinvigorate law enforcement across the state, especially in light of rising crime in the capital.
Patna SSP Awakash Kumar Removed Amid Crime Surge
Awakash Kumar (IPS, 2012 batch), who took over as SSP of Patna on 28 December 2025, has been removed from the post within just six months. He has now been appointed Commandant, Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP)-1, Patna. His premature transfer follows growing public and political criticism over increasing incidents of murder, theft, and lawlessness in Patna.
Kartikeya K Sharma Appointed New Patna SSP
Replacing Awakash Kumar, Kartikeya K Sharma (IPS, 2014 batch), the former SP of Purnia, has been named the new Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Patna. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIM Ahmedabad, Sharma is widely regarded for his academic brilliance and efficient leadership. His appointment reflects the government’s intent to restore public trust in Patna’s policing.
Complete Reshuffle in Patna Police Ranks
Along with the SSP post, all three City SPs in Patna have been replaced:
K Ramdas, SP (East Patna) → Appointed Assistant Director-cum-SP, Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir
Sweety Sahrawat, SP (Central Patna) → Appointed SP, Purnia
Sarath R S, SP (West Patna) → Appointed SP, Supaul
In addition, CID SP Chandrashekhar Prasad has been posted as SP (Law and Order), Patna, further reorganizing leadership within the capital’s police structure.
Statewide IPS Transfers – Other Key Changes
Vineet Kumar, SP (Special Branch) → SP, Jehanabad
Arvind Pratap Singh, SP, Jehanabad → SP, Samastipur
Ashok Kumar Mishra, SP, Samastipur → SP, Special Branch
Shaishav Yadav, SP, Supaul → AIG (Modernization), Patna
Vishwajeet Dayal, City SP, Muzaffarpur → SP, Jamui
Vidya Sagar, Rural SP, Muzaffarpur → SP, ERSS (Dial-112)
Madan Kumar, SP, Jamui → SP, Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission
Pramod Kumar, Commandant, BSAP-1 → Given additional charge as SP, STF and SP, CID
Background: Crime Spike Behind SSP’s Transfer
The transfer of Awakash Kumar comes against the backdrop of escalating crime in Patna. His perceived inability to control the situation led to his replacement well before completing even half a year in office.
Profile: Who is Kartikeya K Sharma?
Born on September 4, 1988, in Ranchi, Kartikeya K Sharma completed his early schooling in his hometown before earning an engineering degree from IIT Kharagpur. He later obtained a PGDM from IIM Ahmedabad, and subsequently cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination, joining the Bihar cadre of the IPS. Sharma is seen as a promising officer with a unique blend of academic excellence and effective field leadership.
