Delhi Police Major Reshuffle: 9 Senior IPS Officers Appointed to Key Special CP Posts; Hargobinder Dhaliwal to Head Crime Division
In a major leadership reshuffle within the Delhi Police, the Delhi administration has transferred and assigned new responsibilities to nine senior IPS officers holding the rank of Special Commissioner of Police (Special CP). The sweeping changes affect some of the force’s most sensitive and strategically important divisions, including Law and Order, Crime, Intelligence, Traffic, Vigilance, Operations, and Protective Security.
The transfers were approved by Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena on the recommendations of the Police Establishment Board. The official order was issued by senior administrative authorities with immediate effect.
The reshuffle primarily involves senior AGMUT cadre IPS officers from the 1994 to 1999 batches and is being viewed as a strategic effort to strengthen operational coordination, intelligence gathering, crime management, and public security oversight in the national capital.
Neeraj Thakur Takes Charge of Law and Order Zone-II
Senior IPS officer Neeraj Thakur, who was previously serving as Special Commissioner of Police in the Traffic Division, has now been appointed as Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order Zone-II.
The posting places him in charge of one of the most crucial operational wings responsible for maintaining public order, handling sensitive law-and-order situations, crowd management, and emergency response coordination across major areas of Delhi.
Devesh Chandra Srivastava Appointed Special CP, Law and Order Zone-I
Devesh Chandra Srivastava has been transferred as Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order Zone-I.
Before this assignment, he was heading the Crime Division and also held additional responsibility for the Perception Management and Media Cell. His new role will involve overseeing policing operations, preventive security measures, and coordination among district police units in Zone-I.
David Lalrinsanga Retains Operations Wing
Senior IPS officer David Lalrinsanga will continue as Special Commissioner of Police, Operations, overseeing PCR and Communication units.
In addition to his current responsibilities, he has also been assigned extra charge of SPUWAC and SPUNER, divisions that deal with sensitive policing and special operational coordination.
Manish Kumar Agarwal Moved to Traffic Division
Manish Kumar Agarwal, who was earlier serving in the Intelligence Division, has now been appointed Special Commissioner of Police, Traffic Division.
The Traffic Division plays a vital role in regulating vehicular movement, traffic enforcement, road safety management, and public transport coordination in Delhi, one of India’s busiest metropolitan regions.
Ajay Chaudhary Posted to Protective Security Division
Senior IPS officer Ajay Chaudhary has been shifted from the Vigilance Division and appointed Special Commissioner of Police, Protective Security Division.
The division is responsible for security arrangements involving VIPs, important installations, sensitive locations, and high-risk events in the national capital.
Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal Gets Charge of Crime Division
One of the most notable changes in the reshuffle is the appointment of Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal as Special Commissioner of Police, Crime Division.
Dhaliwal, who was recently serving as Director General of Police of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has now been entrusted with leading Delhi Police’s Crime Branch.
Apart from heading the Crime Division, he has also been assigned additional charge of the Perception Management, Media Cell, and Legal Division.
The Crime Branch handles investigations into organised crime, gang operations, economic offences, cybercrime, interstate criminal networks, and other high-profile criminal cases.
Atul Katiyar Takes Over Vigilance Division
Atul Katiyar has been appointed Special Commissioner of Police, Vigilance Division.
He will continue to hold additional charge of the Welfare and Licensing Divisions alongside his new responsibilities.
The Vigilance Division plays a key role in monitoring internal discipline, corruption complaints, and departmental accountability within Delhi Police.
Vijay Kumar Gets Additional Public Transport Safety Role
Senior officer Vijay Kumar will continue as Special Commissioner of Police, Armed Police.
In addition, he has now been assigned extra responsibility for the Public Transport Safety Division, which focuses on passenger safety, transport-related policing, and coordination with public transit systems.
K. Jegadesan Appointed Special CP, Intelligence
K. Jegadesan has been transferred as Special Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Division.
He will also continue to hold additional charge as Managing Director of the Delhi Police Housing Corporation.
The Intelligence Division is among the most sensitive wings of Delhi Police and is responsible for gathering strategic inputs related to security threats, protests, communal tensions, political developments, and anti-terror surveillance.
Strategic Leadership Realignment
Officials described the reshuffle as a major organisational restructuring aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening inter-divisional coordination, and improving supervision across critical policing units.
The changes come at a time when Delhi Police continues to deal with complex challenges involving cybercrime, public order management, VIP security, traffic congestion, intelligence coordination, and organised criminal networks.
By placing experienced AGMUT cadre officers in key operational roles, the administration is seeking to reinforce leadership in divisions considered essential to the capital’s security and governance framework.
The reshuffle is also expected to improve communication and coordination between intelligence, crime investigation, law-and-order management, and public safety units within the Delhi Police structure.
