IPS officers Negi, Tiwari frontrunners for Himachal DGP’s post; race hots up as Centre allows senior cop to return to state cadre

TNR News Network
Shimla:
The decks appear to have been cleared for 1990-batch IPS officer Shyam Bhagat Negi to become the next Director General of Police (DGP) of Himachal Pradesh. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his repatriation to his parent cadre from the central deputation, significantly boosting the possibility of his appointment as the state’s top police officer.

Currently serving as Special Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat at the Centre, Shyam Bhagat Negi hails from Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh and has long been seen as a frontrunner for the DGP post. With seniority on his side, he ranks first among officers in the state’s DGP panel finalised by the government in May. The panel also includes Ashok Tiwari (1993 batch, presently acting DGP in Himachal) and Rakesh Agrawal (1994 batch, on central deputation from Haryana cadre).

Shyam Bhagat Negi is due to retire on March 31, 2026, which would give him a tenure of around eight months if appointed immediately. Given the stability this offers, sources indicate the state government was inclined to make the formal announcement soon.

At present, Ashok Tiwari is holding additional charge as the acting DGP following the retirement of Atul Verma, who was abruptly sent on forced leave just days before his retirement in connection with the Chief Engineer Vimal Negi case. Atul Verma wasn’t even given an official farewell. The state government then had assigned the interim role to Ashok Tiwari.

Among other contenders, Anurag Garg, a fellow 1990-batch IPS officer, is currently serving as the Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), while Rakesh Agrawal has already expressed willingness to return to Himachal Pradesh from his central posting. Ritvik Rudra, another 1994-batch officer, also remains on deputation at the Centre.

For months, there had been speculation about Shyam Bhagat Negi’s return and possible elevation as the state police chief. With the Centre now greenlighting his move back, that speculation may soon turn into official confirmation, said an official.