The CBI action against a Vigilance official and a middleman has brought into focus bureau Director Sharad Satya Chauhan, who is the senior-most contender for the post of the Director General of Police in Punjab.
Also, since AAP came to power in March 2022, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has seen an unprecedented churn in its leadership, with five different directors appointed during this period.
The bureau, which had enjoyed stability under Varinder Kumar, who served as its Chief Director from May 2022 until February 2025, entered a phase of rapid changes after his removal.
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G Nageshwar Rao, a 1995-batch IPS officer, assumed charge on February 18, 2025, but was soon replaced by SPS Parmar. Parmar’s tenure was cut short when he was suspended in April 2025, leading to PK Sinha being given the additional charge of the Chief Director.
Sinha was later confirmed with full charge, making him the fourth officer to hold the position within a year. The appointment of Chauhan marks the fifth change in just over a year.
Chauhan, a 1992-batch IPS officer who did not get a key post for several years, is the senior-most officer in the panel of 14 IPS officers sent by the Punjab Government to the Union Public Service Commission in April for the DGP’s post. The UPSC is expected to shortlist three names, from which the state will appoint the regular police chief.
It remains to be seen how the UPSC takes up his candidature as the CBI has booked Chauhan’s reader OP Rana on graft charges.
Chauhan told The Tribune: “I am not responsible for any shady activity of my reader. My name has been unnecessarily taken in this case. I was in office till 6 pm and going to attend office today also. I am available.”
