West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with Rajeev Kumar in Kolkata. (PTI file photo)
Kumar had previously been relieved of his duties by the Election Commission (EC) following the declaration of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections
Rajeev Kumar is set to resume his role as Director General of Police (DGP), West Bengal, with an official order issued on Monday confirming his reappointment, sources told CNN-News18.
Sources further revealed that Kumar, a 1989 batch IPS officer, will take charge from July 16.
Kumar had previously been relieved of his duties by the Election Commission (EC) following the declaration of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This was not the first time Kumar has faced such action, before the 2016 state Assembly polls, he was also removed as the Kolkata police chief by the election body.
Known as an officer for all seasons for West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Kumar was first appointed as the state police chief in December last year after the retirement of Manoj Malviya. Experts regard him as a highly competent officer known for managing governmental crises from the forefront.
Proximity to Banerjee
Generally, the state government forwards the names of candidates to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the top police post, and the UPSC returns a single recommendation. However, in Kumar’s case, an order was issued in December specifying his additional charge as acting DG. This procedure was interesting, as sources say there was apprehension that the UPSC might not have approved Kumar’s appointment as DG.
Kumar’s association with Banerjee spans several years, notably her two-day ‘dharna’ in protest against a CBI visit to his residence linked to an alleged chit fund scam in 2019. Incidentally, the Supreme Court had granted Kumar protection from arrest at that point of time.
Sources within the bureaucracy say that Kumar has consistently been given important space in his duties, and for the TMC-led government, he is considered important and efficient.
In 2019, Kumar had served as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and previously held positions such as Commissioner of Bidhannagar (during the Saradha chit fund scam), and leadership roles in the CID and STF. Additionally, he was appointed as Principal Secretary IT in the same year.
A tough taskmaster
During his previous role as the Director General of Bengal police, Kumar has made multiple visits to Sandeshkhali to assess ground situations and oversee investigations. Whenever the Bengal government has faced law and order issues, Kumar has been known for handling the situations aggressively.
Sources say that there was resistance from a faction of IAS officers regarding Kumar’s reappointment, but the government remained steadfast in reinstating him. Following the Lok Sabha results, bypolls were announced, triggering another code of conduct. As soon as the code of conduct was lifted after the bypoll results, Kumar’s reappointment order was issued.
Widely respected within IPS circles, Kumar is recognised as a good leader and tough taskmaster. However, he has faced accusations from the opposition of being biased, which they claim has earned him favor with the government. The BJP has consistently alleged that Kumar targets the opposition, suggesting his proximity to Banerjee.
