Gujarat-cadre IPS officer, Kuldip Sharma promoted, is now DGP, BP R&D

The central government on Friday promoted Gujarat-cadre IPS officer, Kuldip Sharma, to the rank of director-general of police (DGP) and posted him as DGP, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) located in New Delhi. There are, however, no indications that Sharma would be posted as Gujarat DGP.

Sharma, who was denied promotion by the state government, had to go to the Centre on deputation and fight a legal battle for nearly two years before he was promoted. With Friday’s promotion, however, he will now retire as DGP. Sharma is to retire on December 31, 2012.

The Union Government promoted him as per the directive of the Delhi high court which, on Thursday, had ruled that Sharma could be promoted to DGP rank. Earlier, he was ADGP, Bureau of Police Research and Development, a post he had occupied since he went on deputation to Centre.

Sharma has just seven weeks in office before he hangs his boots. These seven weeks are also important for Gujarat where assembly elections are to be held on December 13 and 17, 2012. The results of the two-phase polls will be declared on December 20.

The state government, which had submitted many affidavits to prevent Sharma’s promotion to the rank of DGP, is still apprehensive about the Delhi high court order. However, according to Sharma’s lawyer, IH Saiyed, the state government cannot do anything now against the IPS officer’s promotion.

The buzz in police circles in the state — even at police stations — was that Sharma may be posted as Gujarat DGP. However, some police officers were of the opinion that Sharma would not like to be posted in Gujarat as that would land him in unnecessary controversy at the fag end of his career.