Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India today approved the appointment of Fire Services, Home Guards and Civil Defence DG Bijay Kumar Sharma as the new DGP In-charge of Odisha.
BK Sharma's new appointment comes after incumbent DGP RP Sharma went on leave following his wife Tushar Sharma's untimely death at a private hospital in New Delhi today.
Due to the model code of conduct in view of the upcoming general elections in Odisha, the State government had recommended names of three DGP rank officers including that of BK Sharma for the top post to the Election Commission of India.
DGP RP Sharma's wife Tushar was suffering from Penumonia for past couple of days and had been admitted to CARE hospital in Bhubaneswar a few days ago. Later, she was shifted in air ambulance to Gangaram Hospital in New Delhi where she breathed her last today.
BK Sharma, a 1986-batch IPS officer had served at various top posts in the State Police department. Prior to Director General of Fire Services and Commandant General (home guards) and Director of Civil Defence, Sharma was appointed Director General (Prisons) and was also promoted and posted as Special DGP Crime Branch (CID).
Besides stints as SPs of several districts, BK Sharma had also served as Commissioner of Police of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack from May 2008 to May 2012.