Jharkhand’s Director General of Police (DGP), Anurag Gupta, has reportedly resigned following a series of controversial events, including allegations of corruption and mishandling of key investigations. This development comes after the state government had previously revoked Gupta’s authority over the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on September 19th. Sources indicate that the decision to remove Gupta’s control over the ACB was linked to the ongoing liquor scam, which implicates senior IAS officer Vinay Choubey. Choubey, an accused in the liquor scam, was arrested by the ACB but later granted bail after the bureau failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated three months. The state government reportedly held DGP Gupta responsible for this oversight, leading to public criticism and questions about the administration’s efficiency. The arrest of Choubey had also caused discontent among IAS officers. The government’s support for Gupta was evident when they altered rules and even extended his service by two years post-retirement, making his eventual resignation all the more striking. Reports suggest that Gupta’s alleged arbitrary functioning and involvement in corruption cases escalated to a point where the government felt compelled to seek his resignation. The arrest of Vinay Singh, owner of NextGen and a prominent businessman accused alongside Vinay Choubey in the Hazaribagh land scam, is also cited as a contributing factor. Singh’s extensive government connections are believed to have played a role. In a significant move, the government has appointed T. Mishra as the new acting DGP, overlooking several senior IPS officers. This appointment marks the first time a woman police officer has been given the DGP position in Jharkhand since its formation.
