Shyam Bhagat Negi has been given the additional charge of Himachal Pradesh DGP while Ashok Tewari is on leave. The appointment comes amid a political storm over the drug menace, with the opposition accusing police personnel of involvement.
The Himachal Pradesh government has assigned the additional charge of Director General of Police (DGP) to Shyam Bhagat Negi, who is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (Social Justice and Empowerment).
According to a notification issued by the Department of Personnel on Friday, Negi, a 1990-batch IPS officer, will hold the additional charge of DGP (HoPF) and DGP (State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau) during the leave period of incumbent Ashok Tewari.
Tewari, a 1993-batch IPS officer, had also been holding the additional charge of DGP (HoPF) and has proceeded on leave. Negi will discharge the responsibilities from March 23 to March 31, 2026, in the public interest. Tewari is scheduled to resume duties on April 1, 2026. Notably, Negi is set to retire on March 31, the last day of his additional assignment.
Appointment Amid Drug Menace Controversy
The development comes on a day when the issue of drug menace was raised in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, with BJP MLA Satpal Singh Satti questioning the role of the police and raising concerns over the functioning of the DGP.
The order was issued by Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, directing all concerned departments and officials to take necessary action accordingly.
Opposition Stages Walkout
Meanwhile, on Friday, the opposition staged a walkout in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on the sixth day of the ongoing Budget Session, over the issue of rising drug menace in the state, with Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur alleging involvement of police personnel in drug trafficking.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Thakur expressed serious concern over the reported circulation of LSD and the alleged complicity of law enforcement officials. He accused the state government and senior police officials of failing to curb the drug problem and instead allowing it to grow.
Citing the recent arrest of four cops linked to drug trafficking, Thakur questioned the government's commitment to tackling the menace, saying "Those appointed to eliminate drugs are themselves found involved. This raises serious questions and warrants a thorough inquiry." (ANI)
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