Ajmer Police’s unprecedented administrative shift sparks debate

Jaipur: An order of the DoP has become a topic of discussion in the entire police force. The order issued on Friday states that in the Ajmer range of police, a DIG rank officer will now be the supreme authority in the range instead of IG. The post of IG will remain in abeyance till 28 February 2025. It is worth noting that the tradition of considering all divisions as ranges in terms of police administration and handing over the command of the range to IG instead of DIG started in the state from the year 2001. Then for the first time KL Bairwa was posted as IG Ajmer range. It is an interesting coincidence that now after 24 years, a DIG has been declared the head of the range in Ajmer instead of IG.

In the transfer list of IPS issued on 16 August, IG Lata Manoj Kumar from Ajmer has been replaced and Om Prakash (II) has been given the command of the range in her place as DIG. In the DoP order dated Friday 30th August, it has been clarified that ‘Sanction of the Governor is hereby accorded for creation of an ex-cadre temporary post of DIG Ajmer Range for the period from joining date of officer to this post to 28th February 2025. During the operation of this post of IGP Ajmer Range, Ajmer will be kept in abeyance.’

It is worth noting that Om Prakash (II) has 16 months (1st January 2026) to be promoted to IG. If the said post has been downgraded for Om Prakash, then what is the justification and meaning of doing so for only 6 months i.e. till 28th February 2025. He can work as the head of the range only as DIG because in the past also Ravi Dutt Gaur has handled the command of Kota Range and Laxman Gaur has handled the command of Bharatpur Range as DIG. Om Prakash is also the head of the range as DIG, then the justification of the above order for him for a fixed period of only 6 months is beyond understanding. Experts say that from the point of view of police administration, Ajmer range is very important and sensitive. In such a situation, giving the command to DIG instead of IG is also not logical. After the year 2001, only IG level IPS have been handling the command of the range in Ajmer.