The Hindu : New Delhi News : Kiran Bedi goes on ‘protest leave’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 26, 2007
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New Delhi

Kiran Bedi goes on ‘protest leave’

Staff Reporter

‘Appointment of Delhi’s new Police Commissioner has come as a huge disappointment to many in the force’

APPOINTMENT AND DISAPPOINTMENT: Delhi’s Police Commissioner-designate Yudhbir Singh Dadwal (left); and, at right, an upset Ms. Kiran Bedi.

NEW DELHI: Even as Yudhbir Singh Dadwal is all set to take over as Delhi’s Police Commissioner on Thursday, Kiran Bedi, India’s first woman IPS officer and for long a frontrunner for the top post at Delhi Police Headquarters, has gone on 90 days’ leave in “protest” against the “regretful” decision.

A 1974 batch Indian Police Service officer of Union Territory cadre, Mr. Dadwal replaces Police Commissioner K. K. Paul, who will now join the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Ms. Bedi, a 1972 batch officer, said on Wednesday evening: “It is regretful because it is not fair to the system. This is the feedback that I have been getting from the rank and file, through phone calls, messages and e-mails.”

Ms. Bedi, posted at present as Director-General of the Bureau for Police Research and Development, said the decision on the new appointment had come as a huge disappointment to many in the Delhi Police, especially the younger generation police officers. “They are disillusioned,” she said.

Questioning the “hurry” with which Mr. Dadwal was appointed, Ms. Bedi said: “He has some time with him. I am left with two years [before retirement]. I could have finished my tenure and he could have taken over then. I did not lobby for the post and this might have gone against me.”

Asked if she would take any legal recourse challenging the appointment of Mr. Dadwal, Ms. Bedi said: “I am looking into all possible options. I am also discussing the matter with my family and friends. Let’s see what happens.”

The much talked about Ms. Bedi, who is also a Magsaysay Award winner, has served in recent years with the United Nations and is credited with introduction of a series of reforms at Delhi’s high-security Tihar Central Jail.

Mr. Dadwal has served as Inspector-General of Chandigarh Police and Joint Commissioner of Police in Arunachal Pradesh, and also headed the intelligence and operations wings of the Delhi Police.

He now holds the post of Special Commissioner of Police (Administration).

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