Delhi Police Commissioner Was First Choice for BSF DG, But Decision Strategically Put On Backburner

The spotlight around Delhi Police Commissioners is not new, barring a few commissioners.  Every Delhi Police Commissioner who has had a long tenure in the Delhi Police has always been a natural contender for high-profile jobs like K.K Paul for R&AW Chief, Ajay Raj Sharma and Nikhil Kumar for BSF and ITBP, respectively. Though the tendency to shift to Police Commissioners has now dimmed, however, the case of the current Delhi Police Commissioner was a bit different weeks ago, which could have ended a decade of drought of elevating/shifting serving Delhi Police Commissioners.

According to top sources, the former Home Secretary floated a proposal to appoint the Delhi Police Commissioner as BSF DG, but the top brass of the Home Ministry pushed back. Top sources say, "Arora's name was in contention for CAPF appointment, and even a proposal was floated, but it got a red light from top bosses." Another top source said the consensus was not reached on Arora's name. Given the charged political landscape in Delhi and the dynamic evolution of security issues, the timing was not deemed right for Sanjay Arora's potential move. However, due to limited options in CAPF, especially for BSF, the proposal was still considered.

Five back, former Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik was under strong consideration for SPG chief after he completed a brief time with Delhi Police but that too was put down. Both the commissioners, Amulya Patnaik and Sanjay Arora, were known for their sagacity, making them the first choice for high-profile posts. However, the current political developments in Delhi's law and order situation necessitate not just professional and operational stability, but also someone who can inspire confidence of Home Ministry at Jai Singh Marg. Few top sources say that it was expected that Arora might not move out, but the proposal for his CAPF appointment does indicate a possible chance for a good second inning at the end of his policing career.