Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 30: The Maharashtra government has appointed Deven Bharti, an IPS officer of the 1994 batch, as the new police commissioner of Mumbai. Bharti succeeds Vivek Phansalkar, who retired on Wednesday.

Previously serving as a special commissioner of Mumbai Police, Bharti will be promoted to the rank of Director General (DG) in August and is set to retire in 2028. The 56-year-old officer is highly trusted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, having previously worked as joint commissioner (Law and Order) during Fadnavis's first tenure as CM.

For over 15 years, the position of Mumbai police commissioner was held by an officer of the DG rank. In a shift in protocol, Maharashtra has downgraded the position for Bharti to an Additional Director General (ADG) rank, allowing him to take over the role.

Bharti hails from Darbhanga, Bihar, and holds a master’s degree from the Delhi School of Economics. He began his career in Mumbai as DCP in Zone 7 and later served as the DCP in the Crime Branch. Bharti also held the roles of Additional Commissioner of the Crime Branch, Joint Commissioner (Law and Order), and Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), in addition to heading the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

During the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Bharti was transferred to the State Security Corporation as Additional DG, despite facing inquiries and legal issues, which have now been cleared.

Under the leadership of Fadnavis, a special commissioner position was created for Bharti. However, the move faced some opposition within the police force, with concerns about potential divisions between the commissioner and special commissioner unless the roles are clearly defined. It remains uncertain whether the special commissioner post will be maintained or scrapped by the government.

Bharti's appointment marks a significant development in the leadership of Mumbai Police as he takes on the city’s most important law enforcement role.