UP: IPS officer breaks away from VIP culture, surprises staff by taking bus to office

Kanpur: An IPS officer was not recognised by his subordinates when he arrived at the SP office after travelling in a state roadways bus to take charge as the new Kanpur Superintendent of Police (Rural).

Breaking away from the usual VIP culture, the 2010 batch IPS officer Prabhakar Chaudhary travelled in a roadways bus from his hometown in Lucknow and arrived here yesterday.

Usually, an SP-level officer arrives at the new office in a convoy of cars. "It is not at all surprising. Whenever I am off-duty, I prefer to travel in public transport. I use official vehicles only when I am on duty. Why should I use them for personal purpose," he said.

The officer was serving as SP-Balia and was transferred to Kanpur five days back. He has also served as Kanpur city SP in the past.

On why he did not arrange for an official vehicle, he said, "When there is a direct bus service from Lucknow to Kanpur, why would I do so. I like to travel in roadways bus since my student life and now that I have become an IPS, I am still doing the same".

According to police sources in Kanpur (Rural) SP office, when Chaudhary arrived here, he was recognised only after he introduced himself as the new SP.