BENGALURU: Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Nahar Singh Megharikh of 1987 batch of Indian Police Service (IPS) is likely to be the new Commissioner of Bengaluru City.
His handling of law and order in the State during the Assembly session in Belagavi, has gone down well with the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister K.J. George, who according to official sources may consider him for the top post over the other three contestants; all ADGP rank officers - Ashit Mohan Prasad (Intelligence) of 1985 batch of IPS, Praveen Sood (Karnataka State Reserve Police) of 1985 batch and Alok Mohan (Administration) of 1987 batch. Out of the four, the names of Megharikh and Prasad have been doing the rounds for the top post for some time now.
A top source in the government told Deccan Chronicle that the incumbent Commissioner M.N. Reddi will be promoted on July 31 to the rank of Director General of Police, on the day DGP, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Bipin Gopal will superannuate and is likely to be posted in the vacant post of DGP, CID. “Reddi will be promoted and posted out of the city,” said an official source, while countering a strong rumour that the government may continue him as the Commissioner till the end of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) elections on August 22.
The government order on promotion and postings of senior IPS officers will, however be issued in concurrence with the State Election Commission because of the model code of conduct, which is in place in the wake of the forthcoming civic body elections.
The Commissioner's post is a selection post and is normally given to an officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police, who besides his seniority and merit; is “viewed well” by the political establishment of the day , especially the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.
