MD Antani is the new secretary (home)

The 1990 batch IPS officer, MD Antani, who was waiting for posting after returning from central deputation, has been appointed secretary (home). He replaces IPS officer, TS Bisht.

Antani took charge as secretary (home) on Tuesday while Bisht will be joining at the Gujarat Police Housing Corporation (GPHC).
Sources said the bureaucracy was surprised at Antani's appointment as it was believed that he was not in the good books of the state government.

While on central deputation, Antani was posted as the Regional Passport Officer (RPO), Gujarat region, since November 2003. He was on central deputation for almost eight years.

The sources said that, initially, additional director general of police (ADGP), Ashish Bhatia, was to be made secretary (home) but he was posted as assistant director, anti-corruption bureau.

Antani was posted as Superintendent of Police (SP) of Godhra district before he went on central department. He was the first IPS officer to be posted as RPO, Gujarat region.

Antani had fallen out with the state government when he was posted as DSP Bharuch during the post-Godhra riots of 2002.

Sources said he had dealt harshly with Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP workers who were trying to spread trouble in Bharuch.

Antani was immediately transferred to Narmada district and from there he was transferred to Godhra where he stayed till he went on deputation as RPO, Gujarat region.