Chandigarh — The Punjab government on Friday appointed 1992-batch IPS officer Gaurav Yadav as the regular Director General of Police, ending a long period of uncertainty over the top post. Yadav had previously served in an officiating capacity since July 2022, and his new tenure as the regular DGP is set to run for a minimum of two years from the date he assumes charge, according to an official order.
The appointment arrived just days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court, during a public interest litigation hearing, instructed the state administration to reach an appropriate decision regarding a regular DGP appointment. The court had noted that temporary leadership arrangements ought not to persist indefinitely and scheduled the next court date for October 13, following petitions highlighting that the office had operated on an additional charge basis for over two years.
According to the official Home Department notification, the Union Public Service Commission issued a letter on July 1 empanelling three IPS officers deemed suitable for the post out of a broader list submitted by the state. Yadav was selected alongside Special DGP Sharad Satya Chauhan and senior IPS officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu from the shortlist of 14 senior officers originally proposed by Punjab.
Following his formal assumption of charge, Yadav met with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss the internal security environment and overall law enforcement across the state. The Punjab Police department confirmed the transition on social media, while Yadav emphasized the force's dedication to preserving peace, public safety, and harmony.
In a subsequent video address, Yadav warned that anti-national elements and criminals would not be permitted to execute their plans, asserting that authorities would track down fugitives regardless of whether they hide domestically or internationally. He also addressed ongoing initiatives against narcotics, noting that the administration aims to intensify the anti-drug campaign with cooperation across multiple government branches and local communities to eradicate organized crime.