One More Sacking But Lesson Remains Same: No Place for All-Powerful And Rage In System

After Nitin Agarwal's unceremonious departure from DG BSF nine months ago, it looks like some IPS officers haven't learned their lessons right. Another abrupt departure of Chandigarh DGP S.S Yadav has surprised many. A DGP rank officer going for a steep fall to DIG rank  was quite an indigestible development. A closer look suggests that MHA funneled the proposal and ordered Yadav's removal on the same day, suggesting an action of "lightning speed" from the centre. Such developments don't arise from ordinary circumstances.

A top source said, "Certain developments in Chandigarh Police, especially at the DGP level, were unignorable, which went to an unbearable extent after a point." Another top source in MHA has indicated three reasons for this ouster.

First—Overhaulling Crash—After assuming office as Chandigarh DGP, S.S Yadav went on a policing reshuffle spree, almost overhauling the police setup. Although this overhaul is a routine exercise whenever a new DGP takes over, in Yadav's case, sources say that in some situations, such developments were unreasonably accelerated, creating a sense of chaos and instability in the police department.

Second—Ironfist: A DGP has to be reasonably strict to maintain the discipline and conduct of the police force, but according to a top source, "Yadav's ironfisted behaviour was reflecting rage." The source added, "Pushing officers to submission and whatnot, suddenly the DGP office became so centralized that it led the hierarchy to tailspin."

Third: Power Dynamics Spark: Yadav's aggressive and head-on approach, which in most cases seemed unreasonable and excessive was complicating the power landscape,  further a source said that he messed with politically charged power dynamics  of Chandigarh that didn't go well not only with Chandigarh administration but also with MHA,. "Things went for a rollercoaster ride when this spark, instead of getting defused, got further flared up ", a top source said.

While arguments in power corridors are given that Yadav fought with a system for good, his intent was to revolutionize and clean the system in Chandigarh. However, a counterargument directly hits that there is a systemic and professional way of doing this. Many IPS officers at the DGP level are systemically improving policing and transparency levels in their states or even in UT. Such bravado and ballistic approaches don't suit or are sometimes counterproductive at the DGP level until there are crises or extraordinary circumstances.

A senior IPS officer  said, "The DGP is responsible for carrying not only the force's strategic compass but also the moral compass. He has to create a fine balance between the two for smooth police governance." He further added that a Rambo-like DGP kills the force-DGP connection and creates fear and communication problems". Senior IPS officers should soon take lessons on gentlemanly running the police force; otherwise, doomsday events for IPS officers like these will continue to haunt the IPS lobby.