Exclusive: West Bengal DGP Panel On The Horizon, Six Officers In Race

According to top sources, it has been learned that the panel to appoint the next West Bengal DGP is soon to be on the horizon, as the incumbent DGP is set to complete his extended tenure next month. Top sources said that six names are in the panel with 1991 batch Natrajan Ramesh Babu and Anuj Sharma on the top of the list. Top sources added that four names from the 1993 batch are included: Peeyush Pandey and DG BSF Praveen Kumar, followed by Gyanwant Singh and Ajoy Kumar.

Of the six names most likely to be on the panel, three to four will be shortlisted by UPSC and will be sent back to the state government for a final decision on the appointment.  Top sources said that Natrajan Ramesh Babu, currently West Bengal's CID Chief, could emerge as the frontrunner, especially if BSF DG Praveen Kumar chooses to stay put in Delhi.  Adding another layer to the story, top sources say there's a strong internal push within the West Bengal cadre itself, with officers reportedly determined to ensure the next DGP is selected from within the force.