DGP (Training) (Training) Vikas Sahay, a 1989-batch IPS officer, was appointed in-charge Director General of Police on Tuesday, following the retirement of 1985-batch DGP Ashish Bhatia after 37 years of service. Sahay is expected to be appointed as DGP and IG after the meeting between the UPSC and the DoPT.
Bhatia was given a ceremonious farewell with a guard of honor at the end of his last working day on Tuesday, with Vikay Sahay walking by the side of the open jeep in the presence of senior IPS officials.
Bhatia was given an unprecedented six-month extension as state police chief in May 2022, with two months remaining on his contract. Bhatia thus served eight months beyond the date of his retirement as an IPS officer.
As Mehsana’s SP, Bhatia busted an arms racket and recovered a large amount of explosives and weapons. Another feather in his cap was his detection of the Ahmedabad serial blasts in July 2008 while serving as Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch).
The Discovery Channel recently aired a documentary about the 2008 bombings that included a clinical investigation into the conspiracy that eventually broke the backbone of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen. While in Surat, incoming DGP Vikas Sahay played an important role in tracking down the roots of Indian Mujahideen to Mumbai.
Bhatia said it will be difficult for him to stay at home post retirement. “I have been working relentlessly since I Joined the police force. However, I have a plan to spend some time with my family and attend social functions.”
In-coming DGP Vikas Sahay said that he will continue to guide the state police force to work for the betterment of the citizens. “We will continue our crackdown on bootleggers, loan Sharks and elements that try to disrupt the law and order of the state,” Sahay said.