Alok Verma next Delhi CP

New Delhi: The ministry of home affairs on Wednesday cleared the name of 1979-batch AGMUT cadre officer Alok Verma as the next police chief of Delhi. Verma, who is currently posted as director general (prisons), will replace B S Bassi from March 1. The new commissioner will have around 17 months in hand as he is to retire in August, 2017.
Bassi, who is set to retire on February 29, is vying for the post of information commissioner, the decision on which will be taken on February 19.Verma's order was reportedly signed by the home minister on Wednesday afternoon and sent to LG Najeeb Jung to issue the appointment order, sources said.
Verma has his task cut out with the circumstances prevailing in Delhi at the moment. He will have to prove better than Bassi who has come under heavy criticism for his unguarded comments. He will also need to have a fresh look at the investigations in high profile cases like Sunanda Pushkar, molestation case against TERI's RK Pachauri and many others. Considered an upright officer, Verma has handled crucial assignments in Delhi Police and has been on deputations in intelligence bureau and the Centre as well. He headed south and northeast districts as DCP before going to foreign regional registration office (FRRO). Later, he was posted with a ministry and then sent to Puducherry.
Upon his return, Verma was made joint commissioner of New Delhi Range. He headed the crime branch as joint CP as well as special commissioner. He was again transferred to Puducherry before being posted as special commissioner (vigilance) and intelligence in Delhi Police.
He was posted as DG Mizoram before taking up the number 2 position in Delhi Police as special commissioner (admin). He was posted as director general of Tihar after Vimla Mehra was shifted out abruptly.