Senior IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Agarwal has officially assumed the role of Additional Director General (ADG) of the Eastern Command of the Border Security Force (BSF), headquartered in Kolkata. A 1994-batch officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, Agarwal takes over from Ravi Gandhi, who served in the post for 14 months during a politically sensitive period following the 2024 crisis in Bangladesh.
The Eastern Command holds strategic responsibility for guarding the 4,096-kilometre-long India-Bangladesh border, which spans West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
In a statement, the BSF highlighted Agarwal’s extensive career in policing, which includes key roles in both the Tamil Nadu Police and central agencies. He has served as Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai; Inspector General in charge of law and order in Tamil Nadu; and held senior positions in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Agarwal is known for his decisive leadership in combating organized crime, cybercrime, and corruption. He has also spearheaded several public safety campaigns. His service has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
Upon taking charge, Agarwal lauded the dedication of BSF personnel working in some of India’s most challenging border regions. He affirmed his focus on strengthening border security, boosting welfare measures for jawans, and improving coordination with other security and intelligence agencies.
He also conducted a review meeting with senior officers of the Eastern Command, urging all ranks to carry out their duties with “dedication, sincerity, and commitment.”
Outgoing ADG Ravi Gandhi has now been posted as ADG (Logistics) at the BSF headquarters in New Delhi.
