Chandigarh/Delhi – Former Chandigarh DGP Surendra Singh Yadav, a 1997-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has faced a major professional setback as the court has dismissed his petition challenging his transfer from Chandigarh to the Border Security Force (BSF).
Mr. Yadav’s transfer, ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), comes in the wake of a controversial and turbulent tenure in Chandigarh, marked by internal unrest and contentious administrative decisions. His legal challenge against the transfer — which claimed procedural unfairness and questioned being placed under a junior officer — was rejected, clearing the way for his reassignment.
Tumultuous Tenure as Chandigarh DGP
Appointed as DGP in March 2024, Yadav’s leadership saw sweeping policy changes, most notably the mass transfer of over 2,700 police personnel, a move aimed at administrative rotation but which drew mixed reactions. His time in office was further marred by allegations of corruption within the police force and a widely circulated letter from officers expressing dissatisfaction with his leadership style.
The situation worsened when a wave of UT police personnel applied for voluntary retirement (VRS), signaling deep unrest in the ranks. Several officers were also implicated in bribery cases, prompting internal inquiries — though some were eventually closed. These controversies cast a long shadow over his tenure.
Sudden Transfer and Aftermath
Yadav’s transfer orders were issued abruptly on April 1, 2025, directing him to report to the BSF headquarters in Delhi as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for Anti-Naxal Operations. After his plea was rejected in court, the Home Ministry swiftly reassigned him to Rajasthan for orientation at the IPS Police Academy, before deploying him to Chhattisgarh, a region severely affected by Naxal insurgency.
His sudden departure from Chandigarh, the lack of an official farewell, and the immediate relocation of his belongings to Delhi have fueled speculation and raised questions about the handling of his exit.
A New Chapter Amid Lingering Questions
Now tasked with leading anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, Mr. Yadav faces a demanding new role. However, the abrupt nature of his transfer and the controversies surrounding his tenure continue to draw public and institutional attention.
The case underscores the volatile nature of high-level policing assignments, especially in politically sensitive Union Territories, and the challenges of balancing administrative reforms with internal morale.
