The Odisha government on Wednesday allowed the Director General of Police (DGP) Abhay to retire from service with effect from December 31, 2021. Abhay is set to retire as head of police force after the completion of his tenure on December 31. A 1986 batch officer, IPS Abhay was appointed as the DGP, Odisha in November 2019.
The development means the State is set to see a new senior cop adorning the topmost post in the police department in the New Year.
Earlier last month, the Odisha government had sent to UPSC, the apex selection body, a list of 14 senior IPS officers who have completed 30-years of service for choosing the new DGP.
As per sources, the UPSC selection panel which comprises its Chairman, Union Home Secretary, incumbent Odisha Chief Secretary, and DGP may finalise the name of the new top cop for Odisha next month.
The UPSC will shortlist three officers from those selected by the State government and send their names for final selection. The State government will choose one of the three shortlisted officers having two years of service left with good merit and seniority.
Several big names in the State police cadre including IPS Manoj Chhabra, Santosh Upadhaya, Binayananda Jha, and Pranabindu Acharya are said to be frontrunners for the post.