Gurugram: Hours after the Union Public Service Commission sent a panel of three names, the Haryana government on Wednesday appointed Ajay Singhal as the new Director General of Police, ending weeks of speculation over who would take charge after O. P. Singh’s retirement.
Singhal, a 1992-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, will hold the post for a minimum of two years from the date of assuming charge, in line with a Supreme Court judgment.
Earlier, after a meeting on Wednesday morning, the UPSC empanelled three officers—Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor (1990 batch), Ajay Singhal (1992 batch), and Alok Mittal (1993 batch)—to fill the post of DGP and sent the names to the state government.
The names were sent after the state government on 16 December asked the UPSC for a panel of officers who could take over as DGP.
The government order, appointing the new DGP, issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra, came on the day O. P. Singh retired after 33 years in service. Singh, also from the 1992 batch, had posted his farewell letter on social media earlier in the day, quoting Tennyson and warning of a crime spike in 2026.
Kapur empanelled despite FIR shadow
What stands out is the inclusion of Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor in the UPSC panel. Kapoor, the senior-most officer in the panel, was sent on leave after an FIR was registered against him in the Y. Puran Kumar case. He was removed as DGP earlier this month when the UPSC pointed out that the government’s request for a panel could be considered only if there is an imminent vacancy. His empanelment suggests the UPSC considered him eligible, but the state government clearly chose to look past him.
The UPSC drill
The appointment follows the mandatory procedure laid down by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case, which requires the UPSC to prepare a panel of officers for the DGP post. The state government then selects one name from the panel.
The Haryana government had sent names of eligible DGPs to the UPSC on December 16, and the commission held a meeting on December 31 to finalise the panel.
Who is Ajay Singhal?
Ajay Singhal, 57, is an IPS officer of the 1992 batch who has spent most of his career in Haryana, with stints in various operational and administrative roles.
A B.Tech by education, Singhal currently holds the position of Director General of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Haryana.
Hailing from Rewari district of Haryana, Singhal is known in the state’s police force for his no-nonsense approach, and he has handled sensitive postings across the state.
During his policing career of over three decades, Singhal has held charges in districts known for law and order challenges, including areas with high crime rates and communal sensitivities, and in state headquarters.
Singhal’s tenure will be crucial as he takes charge at a time when his predecessor has warned of a likely surge in crimes in 2026. He will also inherit the task of modernising the force and implementing community policing measures that Singh had advocated in his tenure.
Unlike his predecessor, Singh, who became known for talking to his force as well as the public through his open letters on social media, Singhal is seen as a more traditional officer who prefers to work away from the limelight.
He is known to be a stickler for discipline and has a reputation for being accessible to junior officers.
Singhal’s career has been largely free of controversies. He has handled postings in intelligence, crime investigation, and district policing. His experience in managing sensitive law and order situations, particularly during election duties and handling communal flare-ups, can come in handy.
Among the major positions held by him are: Director General, Human Rights and Litigation, served until December 2025; Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Railways and Commando, posted in November 2023, with additional charge of ADGP, Haryana Human Rights Commission; ADGP, State Crime Branch (HQ), Panchkula; ADGP, Anti-Corruption Bureau; ADGP, Crime Against Women, and Additional Director General, State Vigilance Bureau.
He has also worked closely with central agencies on various cases and is known to have good coordination skills.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: Haryana DGP OP Singh invokes Tennyson in farewell letter to force; warns of ‘crime spike in 2026’