Alok Verma to replace BS Bassi as police commissioner of Delhi

Alok Verma, a 1979 batch IPS officer of the Union Territories cadre will be next commissioner of police in Delhi.

Senior IPS officer Alok Verma will replace BS Bassi as Delhi Police commissioner when the latter retires on February 29. Verma, who is currently director general (prisons), will hold the post till July 2017.

Alok Verma (L), a 1979 batch IPS officer of the Union Territories cadre will be next commissioner of police in Delhi. BS Bassi (R), the present commissioner is hanging in his boots on February 29.(Agencies)

The government announced the 58-year-old’s appointment on Wednesday, a day Bassi faced fresh flak for his handling of the JNU sedition case and the mob violence by lawyers at the Patiala House Courts. “Alok Verma’s name has been cleared for the top job. A formal order will be issued soon,” said a government official.

Bassi is in the running for the job of information commissioner post-retirement. He is one among 14 contenders shortlisted for three vacancies.

Verma, a 1979-batch officer, will officially join the Capital’s 80,000-strong force on March 1.

The soft-spoken Verma previously served with the Delhi Police as special commissioner (administration and vigilance), joint commissioner (crime) and DCP of the south district. He was also DG of Puducherry and Mizoram.

One of his major challenges would be how he deals with the Arvind Kejriwal government, with which the city police — who report to the Union home ministry — share an uneasy relationship.

Senior officers said within days of his appointment, Verma’s first test would be appointing the anti-corruption branch chief — which may lead to another clash with the AAP government, which has its own list of probables for the post.