New Delhi: Special Cell Delhi Police‘s anti-terror unit, is set for a major reshuffle, with four positions at the deputy commissioner-rank opening up this week. A hunt has also begun for the next officer on special duty (OSD) to the Delhi Police commissioner, with the existing officer in charge being posted out of Delhi and being relieved on Wednesday.
In the special cell, the three DCPs — Pratiksha Godara, Pranav Tayal and Manoj C — are set to be promoted this week and will become additional commissioners, sources said. Three officers in this rank are not required in a small unit like the cell, a source said, adding that this will prompt some exits. Existing additional CP Pramod Kushwaha and two others may be moved out of the unit, according to sources.
The fourth DCP is Manishi Chandra, who has been posted to Mizoram upon his induction to IPS last week. However, uncertainty hangs over his fate as the police headquarters might request govt for keeping his order in abeyance till the elections. In case he is relieved, the police chief may select to-be additional CP Godara or another officer named Anyesh Roy as his successor, an officer said, terming the two as frontrunners.
The selection of the next DCP/s of the special cell would be crucial given the dismal performance of the unit this year. Not only did they fare poorly in cracking down on killings and firing incidents by organised crime gangs, there wasn’t a single anti-terror operation of their own in 2024. Additionally, two mysterious blasts have remained unsolved and there has been a series of hoax calls in the city.
Meanwhile, the police headquarters on Wednesday also posted 10 inspectors to the traffic unit in a move supposed to strengthen it at the circle level. These inspectors are likely to be posted as traffic inspectors in different circles to help smooth traffic. Of late, snarls have become frequent on key stretches.
In a surprise move, the headquarters also cancelled the transfer order of two SHOs and eight other inspectors issued last week and posted them in other designations. Additionally, six ACPs and 14 inspectors were also posted as SHOs and other profiles in a third order issued on Wednesday.
