Haryana Government Relieves DGP Shatrujeet Kapur, Initiates Process for New Police Chief as Officiating DGP OP Singh Continues High-Impact Operations
The Haryana government has formally removed Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur (IPS: 1990: Haryana) from active charge, thereby formally opening the process for the appointment of a new permanent police chief with effect from January 1, 2026. Following his return from a two-month leave on Saturday, Kapur has been reassigned as Chairman of the Haryana Police Housing Corporation, a position he is scheduled to take over on Monday.
This administrative decision comes against the backdrop of ongoing controversy linked to the alleged suicide of senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar (IPS: 2001: Haryana), an incident in which Kapur’s name had surfaced during preliminary proceedings, intensifying pressure on the state government to initiate leadership changes at the top of the police hierarchy.
Interim Command: OP Singh Retains Charge as Officiating DGP
In the interim, OP Singh (IPS: 1992: Haryana) will continue to function as officiating Director General of Police until the end of the current year. Singh, who also heads the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau and the Forensic Science Laboratory at Madhuban, had taken over as acting police chief after Kapur proceeded on leave from October 14.
The formal orders confirming Kapur’s reassignment and Singh’s continuation as officiating DGP were issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra, coinciding with the completion of Kapur’s sanctioned leave period.
Events Leading to Kapur’s Exit from the DGP Post
Shatrujeet Kapur was elevated to the post of Haryana DGP in August 2023 during the tenure of then Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, superseding two senior IPS officers—Mohd Akhil and R.C. Mishra. His appointment had itself attracted attention due to the supersession involved.
Kapur was subsequently placed on leave following allegations related to the death of IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar, who was found dead on October 7, 2025. The incident triggered a series of administrative and investigative actions, including:
The removal of Rohtak Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya
Registration of a First Information Report (FIR) by the Chandigarh Police
Constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Inspector General Pushpendra Kumar to conduct a comprehensive probe
These developments significantly altered the leadership dynamics within the Haryana Police.
Vacancy Confirmed: Fresh UPSC Panel to Be Forwarded
With Kapur now officially relieved of his DGP responsibilities, the post of Haryana Director General of Police stands formally vacant. Earlier, the state government had forwarded a panel of five senior IPS officers, including Kapur, to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for selection. However, the UPSC had returned the panel, citing the absence of a vacancy since Kapur continued to hold charge at that time.
Following the latest order, the Haryana government is expected to submit a fresh panel of eligible officers to the UPSC. The commission will then shortlist three names, from which the state will select and appoint the next full-time DGP.
OP Singh’s Enforcement Drive as Acting Police Chief
During his tenure as officiating DGP, OP Singh has overseen an aggressive law enforcement push across the state. Two major initiatives launched under his leadership—Operation Trackdown and Operation Hotspot Domination—have significantly reshaped policing outcomes.
According to senior police officials, these operations resulted in:
The arrest of thousands of armed and habitual offenders
The dismantling of organized criminal gangs
The prevention of multiple planned contract killings
Disruption of drug trafficking networks and illegal arms supply chains
A senior officer familiar with the operations remarked that the strategy went beyond conventional reactive policing, emphasizing pre-emptive action against repeat offenders, weapons syndicates, and criminal safe havens.
As Haryana prepares for a new chapter in police leadership, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of law enforcement and administrative stability in the state, particularly at a time when public scrutiny of police accountability remains intense.
