S Gopal Puri
Dharamshala: The Himachal Pradesh government on Wednesday issued a significant reshuffle of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, bringing in new appointments across key law and order positions. The transfers were cleared on the recommendations of the Civil Services Board and notified by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena.
According to the official notification, Ms. Rani Bindu (IPS: 2006), who recently returned from central deputation, has been posted as Inspector General of Police (Crime), Himachal Pradesh, headquartered in Shimla.
Dr. D.K. Chaudhary (IPS: 2008), currently Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crime), Shimla, has been transferred as Principal of the Police Training College, Daroh in Kangra district.
Ms. Soumya Sambasivan (IPS: 2010), serving as Deputy Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Mandi, and simultaneously holding additional charges including Principal of the Police Training College Daroh, has now been appointed as Deputy Inspector General of Police (Northern Range), Dharamshala. She replaces the earlier incumbent in Dharamshala.
Meanwhile, Shri Rahul Nath (IPS: 2010), Deputy Inspector General of Police, State Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau, Shimla, has been shifted to Mandi as Deputy Inspector General of Police (Central Range).
Shri Arvind Chaudhary (IPS: 2017), who was serving as Superintendent of Police at the Police Training College, Daroh, has been moved to Police Headquarters in Shimla as Superintendent of Police (Leave Reserve).
The notification stated that officers shall formally take charge of their new assignments after the conclusion of the ongoing Vidhan Sabha session.
The reshuffle is being viewed as part of the government’s larger effort to streamline police administration and strengthen law enforcement in sensitive regions of the state, particularly in Kangra, Dharamshala, and Mandi, which have been under pressure due to both law and order challenges and recent weather-related emergencies.
Political observers note that such mid-year reshuffles often aim at balancing experience with new responsibilities, while ensuring that critical training institutions and ranges are managed effectively. With this fresh set of appointments, the government is expected to reinforce crime investigation, anti-corruption efforts, and regional policing across Himachal Pradesh.
