Latest news with #RajeevKrishna
The Print
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
UP Police gears up for peaceful Eid-ul-Azha with security measures, community meets
As per a press statement, the UP Police has implemented a multi-pronged strategy, focusing on preventive measures, community engagement and heightened vigilance. In line with these instructions, extensive preparations and actions have been undertaken by the UP Police. Lucknow (UP), Jun 5 (PTI) In view of Eid-ul-Azha on Saturday, the Director General of Police (DGP) Uttar Pradesh, Rajeev Krishna on Thursday issued comprehensive directives to ensure the peaceful and safe observance of the festival across the state. Police stations have thoroughly reviewed their festival registers to prevent the initiation of any new traditions. Meetings have been conducted with religious leaders, peace committees, civil defense personnel and prominent citizens, in coordination with local magistrates and other relevant departments, to foster excellent coordination and dialogue. Permission for any new traditions related to sacrifice has been denied. A strict ban on the sacrifice of prohibited animals is being enforced. Furthermore, coordination has been established with municipal corporations and other relevant departments for the proper disposal of remains after sacrifice. Police have catalogued all Eid-ul-Azha events and hotspots. Additional police, PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary), and Home Guard forces have been strategically deployed under the leadership of gazetted officers within zone or sector schemes. PTI COR CDN HIG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Amit Shah likely to visit Lucknow, distribute appointment letters to new UP police recruits in June 2nd week
Union home minister Amit Shah is likely to be in the state capital in the second week of June to hand over appointment letters to over 60,000 new Uttar Pradesh police recruits who were selected via the police constables' recruitment examination that was held successfully in August 2024 after a question paper leak in February 2024. While the political nuances of Shah's visit cannot be overlooked as panchayat polls in the state are due early next year, the event is more significant for sending the message that the BJP government is committed to creating job opportunities for youths. The question papers of the police constables' recruitment and Assistant Review Officer and Review Officer exams were leaked in February 2024, giving the opposition ammunition to target the Union government as well as the state government. Recruitment to the post of 60,244 police constables is one of the biggest by any government in recent times. 'The Union home minister is likely to distribute the appointment letters to the new police recruits in a grand event planned at Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Ekana Stadium in Lucknow next week,' confirmed senior police officials engaged in making arrangements of the event. An official said the home minister will share the dais with chief minister Yogi Adityanath. A senior police official confirmed preparations for the event are in full swing. The event is proposed in the second week of June, as per the directions of the CM and the date will be finalised on the availability of the Union home minister, he added. He said the new UP director general of police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna has written a letter to all district police chiefs, as well as all police commissioners, to expedite the steps required from the home districts of police recruits to facilitate the process. The letter stated that the allocation of cadres for 48,196 male and 12,048 female candidates should be completed soon. The files of selected candidates should be made available to the Joining Training Course (JTC) district by June 3, the letter added. The selected candidates will be summoned for a short period and they will be informed about the details of the programme. In the letter, the DGP explained that the male candidates are required to wear full-sleeve white shirts, khaki pants, and black shoes, while female candidates should wear plain salwar suits or sarees. He said the home districts will make arrangements for the candidates to travel to Lucknow and back, and the Lucknow police commissioner will make arrangements for their stay. The recruitment process was successfully completed under the leadership of Rajeev Krishna as director of UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) after the removal of the previous director Renuka Mishra following question paper leak of the written examination held on February 17 and 18, 2024. Although the board then denied the leak, the state government cancelled the written examination after getting sufficient evidence on February 24 and directed to reconduct the written exam within six months. The written examination was successfully conducted in August 2024 under heightened security. .
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UP Police launches security plan for Bakrid
Lucknow: Ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) on June 7, the UP Police launched a security and coordination plan across the state to ensure peaceful festivities. Acting on the directives of DGP Rajeev Krishna, top police officials at the zonal, range and district levels implemented a multi-layered strategy aimed at preventing communal tension, ensuring public order and maintaining religious harmony. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Key focus areas include enhanced patrolling, community outreach, a crackdown on banned animal sacrifices, and real-time social media monitoring. Over 1,178 peace committee meetings with religious leaders, civil society members and local administrators were held to promote dialogue. Authorities identified 2,623 sensitive spots across districts and deployed 2,134 quick response teams (QRTs) equipped with riot-control gear. Krishna directed that no new sacrificial practices be introduced and that public roads remain unobstructed. Municipal bodies were roped in to ensure the swift disposal of animal remains. To reinforce local police, headquarters dispatched two additional SPs, six DSPs, 51 PAC companies and three RRF companies to vulnerable districts. Special foot patrols by gazetted officers were intensified, while UP-112 emergency response vehicles were rerouted and briefed for rapid deployment. Strict surveillance is also underway to counter rumour-mongering and inflammatory content on social media, with legal action promised against those spreading communal hatred. Reviewing past Eid-ul-Zuha-related incidents, senior officers took preventive legal action in areas with histories of tension. "The goal is zero disturbance and 100% community cooperation," said a senior police official. The UP Police reiterated its resolve to ensure that Bakrid is celebrated in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect.
The Wire
2 days ago
- General
- The Wire
Fifth Acting DGP in a Row: Why Uttar Pradesh Still Lacks a Permanent Police Chief
New acting director general of police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh Rajeev Krishna (left) with outgoing DGP Prashant Kumar after he assumed the charge of the office, in Lucknow on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Photo: PTI Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute Now On May 31, the Uttar Pradesh government appointed Rajeev Krishna, a 1991-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, as the state's new acting Director General of Police (DGP). Krishna replaced Prashant Kumar and became the fifth consecutive officer to hold the post in an officiating capacity – a pattern that has drawn intense criticism from the opposition and former officers alike. Krishna, who hails from Gautam Buddha Nagar and holds a degree in Electronics and Communication, was already serving as Director General of Vigilance and the Police Recruitment and Promotion Board. His elevation to acting DGP continues a trend that began in May 2022, when Devendra Singh Chauhan took charge after Mukul Goel's removal. Chauhan was followed by R.K. Vishwakarma, Vijay Kumar, and Prashant Kumar – all of whom served without being given a permanent mandate. Opposition criticism mounts The opposition has raised serious concerns over the absence of a full-time police chief in India's most populous state. Uttar Pradesh, with over 220 million people, has seen high-profile law and order challenges in recent years. Critics argue that the continued appointment of acting DGPs undermines institutional accountability and weakens leadership within the police force. Ajay Rai, President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of evading responsibility. 'It's a mockery of law and order and a threat to the security of 220 million people,' Rai told The Wire. 'There have been custodial deaths and deteriorating law and order, yet the state is being led by acting officials – not just the DGP, but even the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appears to be 'acting',' Rai added. The Samajwadi Party (SP) also condemned the move. SP's Member of Legislative Council, Ashutosh Sinha, said, 'This reflects how seriously the BJP government and Chief Minister Yogi take crime and governance. Their actions show bias, and they are unwilling to follow constitutional norms.' Sinha further criticised the pattern of short-term appointments, arguing that it hampers administrative efficiency. 'When someone is appointed for a short time to the most crucial post in the police department, they spend that time just understanding the system. By the time they are ready to act, their tenure ends,' he said. A dispute between Centre and state? The controversy has reignited debates over the relationship between the Uttar Pradesh government and the BJP-led central government. Prashant Kumar, who was widely expected to receive an extension, was reportedly Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's preferred candidate. However, the central government did not approve the extension. Political analysts believe that this deadlock reflects a lack of consensus between the Centre and the state on key appointments. 'The appointment of Krishna as acting DGP reflects that there is some rift between CM Yogi and his party's central leadership, which is why the UP CM has been avoiding the appointment of a permanent DGP,' said Utkarsh Sinha, a political analyst who has observed governance in the state for decades. Sinha added that such indecision is not limited to the police department. Earlier, this government had delayed appointments for other crucial posts like the Chief Secretary. It suggests that the government often functions at its convenience, sidelining due process,' he said. Kumar Bhawesh Chandra, another political commentator, echoed the sentiment. 'For the last three years, Uttar Pradesh has had no permanent police chief. The CM doesn't want someone he cannot control. If the Centre appoints a DGP he doesn't prefer, removing that officer would become politically complicated,' Chandra said. 'A permanent DGP is essential to maintain the authority and integrity of the forces' Former DGP Sulkhan Singh emphasised the importance of stable leadership in policing. 'The DGP is the leader of the police department, and a permanent DGP is essential to maintain the authority and integrity of the force,' Singh said. He added that state governments often prefer appointing acting DGPs because it gives them flexibility. 'They can extend or terminate the tenure of acting officials based on political expediency,' Singh said. Former IPS officer S.R. Darapuri agreed that the system suffers when key positions are filled temporarily. 'Acting officers tend to avoid making bold or sensitive decisions. Their short tenures discourage them from implementing major reforms,' he said. 'Governments avoid appointing permanent DGPs because, as per regulations, a full-time DGP cannot be removed for two years without solid justification. This security of tenure limits political interference,' added Darapuri. He also highlighted the lack of seriousness with which field-level officers treat acting DGPs. 'Sometimes district-level officers do not take acting DGPs seriously, leading to dysfunction across the force,' Darapuri noted. Legal experts sound the alarm The legal implications of repeated acting appointments are also under scrutiny. Advocate Syed Mohammad Haider Rizvi pointed to the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006), which laid down strict guidelines for police reforms. 'The appointment of yet another officiating DGP in Uttar Pradesh compels a serious reconsideration of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006) 8 SCC 1,' Rizvi said. 'That judgment laid down clear and binding norms for the appointment of the DGP – including empanelment by the UPSC and a minimum two-year tenure – to insulate the police from political manipulation.' He added, 'Despite claims that the 2024 Rules implement these directives, the exclusion of UPSC from the process and the continuation of officiating appointments indicate a clear circumvention of the court's mandate. If challenged, such actions may not stand judicial scrutiny, as they violate principles of transparency, independence, and reasonableness enshrined in the judgment.' The 2024 rules: More clarity or confusion? In November 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government approved the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh Selection and Appointment Rules, 2024. These rules introduced a new selection process allegedly intended to replace the earlier practice of UPSC-based recommendations. Under the revised system, a selection committee chaired by a retired high court judge now oversees the appointment. Other members include the state's chief secretary, a UPSC nominee, a representative from the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, the Home Department secretary, and a retired DGP. The new mechanism, the government claims, is designed to reduce political interference and streamline the process. However, critics argue that bypassing UPSC and continuing to appoint acting officials contradicts the stated goals. 'There were multiple senior IPS officers in contention this time, including one woman officer. This raised hopes that UP could see its first-ever female police chief. But once again, the UP government bypassed all of them in favour of someone seen as close to the political galleries,' said an opposition leader. The road ahead Rajeev Krishna is expected to remain in charge until March 2026, according to sources. By then, several senior officers will have retired, potentially making him fourth in the seniority list – a position that could strengthen his candidacy for permanent appointment. Whether Krishna ultimately secures that position remains to be seen. But the larger issue persists: Why has Uttar Pradesh, one of the most politically significant and crime-sensitive states in India, failed to appoint a full-time DGP for nearly three years? Until the state resolves this administrative limbo, questions around governance, legal compliance, and political motivations will continue to cast a shadow over the functioning of its law enforcement machinery. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
From tech-driven investigation to police training, new Uttar Pradesh DGP lists his priorities
Newly appointed director general of police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna on Monday outlined his priorities, emphasising on police training, technology-driven investigation, a zero-tolerance policy against crime, women's safety and empowerment, besides improving police services as well as giving importance to police welfare. He also said stress will be on providing citizen-centric services. In his first interaction with the media at UP Police headquarters, new DGP Rajeev Krishna said there will be no compromise on law and order. The focus will be on taking strong action against organised crime, including cyber crime, he said. He also said women's safety and empowerment will be prioritised. Resolving public grievances and providing sensitive hearings will also be given importance, he said. 'There will be sensitive hearings of public grievances, and will ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are effective so that citizens' voices are heard,' he said, answering a question about concerns over the alleged insensitivity of some police officers. The new state police chief also spoke about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in crime investigation and public welfare work as well as police training. 'AI will be a game-changer in crime investigation, police training and public welfare as well as optimised use of police infrastructure,' he said. The training of new police recruits and regular skill enhancement of the existing police personnel is also among the priorities, he said. Quality training of police personnel and refresher courses is mandatory, he said. He further said cybercrime is a significant problem. With the increased use of digital technology post-COVID-19, efforts will be made to utilise the latest technology to take action against cybercrime, he added. Police welfare will be a priority, and efforts will be made to identify and utilise the skills of talented police personnel effectively, he said. Krishna had proved his mettle after ensuring the smooth conduct of the mega police recruitment written examination involving 48,17,441 applicants, including 15 lakh women, with the use of AI enhancing security measures in August last year. This success helped the government bounce back from two back-to-back question paper leaks in February 2024. He used AI-enabled strong safeguards against any malpractice during the examination process and dismantled the plans of copying mafias and solver gangs.
