Ajay Singhal appointed Haryana’s new DGP, succeeds OP Singh

As per the order, Singhal, a 1992-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, has been appointed for a minimum tenure of two years from the date he assumes charge, subject to further orders.

Published on: Dec 31, 2025, 22:07:40 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The Haryana government on Tuesday appointed senior IPS officer Ajay Singhal as the new Director General of Police (DGP), succeeding OP Singh, who retired on superannuation the same day, according to an official order issued by the state home department.

Officials said Ajay Singhal has previously served in several operational and administrative roles, including district policing, intelligence and specialised units.

The appointment followed the empanelment of three senior IPS officers by the Union Public Service Commission. The panel included Ajay Singhal, Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor of the 1990 batch and Alok Mittal of the 1993 batch. After considering the panel, the governor of Haryana approved Singhal’s appointment as head of the state police force.

As per the order, Singhal, a 1992-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, has been appointed for a minimum tenure of two years from the date he assumes charge, subject to further orders. The tenure is in line with Supreme Court directions on police reforms and fixed terms for DGPs.

The order was issued by additional chief secretary (home) Dr Sumita Misra and took immediate effect. Singhal is expected to formally assume charge later on Tuesday.

Singhal takes over at a time when Haryana Police is continuing enforcement measures initiated under outgoing DGP O.P. Singh. During Singh’s tenure, the force focused on increasing public accessibility, expanding digital outreach, and carrying out operations against organised crime, drug networks and cyber fraud, along with changes in grievance redressal and forensic processes.

Officials said Singhal has previously served in several operational and administrative roles, including district policing, intelligence and specialised units. A senior home department official said the new DGP is expected to focus on strengthening district-level policing, curbing organised gangs and narcotics supply chains, and expanding cybercrime response mechanisms amid a rise in digital offences.

The change in leadership comes as Haryana Police enters 2026, with the force expected to continue routine law-and-order responsibilities, crime control measures and coordination with district administrations across the state.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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