Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta gets 6 months extension three days before retirement

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved a six-month extension in service for Siddh Nath Gupta, Director General and Inspector General of Police of West Bengal, just days before his scheduled retirement on April 30. The extension has been granted in relaxation of existing service rules and has been justified as being in “public interest,” according to the official order issued on April 27.

The decision comes at a crucial time, with West Bengal in the middle of its Vidhan Sabha election process. The extension ensures continuity in the state’s top police leadership during a sensitive period marked by heightened political activity and security deployment. The order followed a proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs and was cleared by the highest level of the central government’s appointments mechanism.

A 1992-batch IPS officer, Gupta has held several key positions in the West Bengal Police, including roles in district policing, intelligence, and crime records. Known for his administrative experience and role in strengthening law enforcement systems, he has served as head of the Intelligence Branch and State Crime Records Bureau in the past. His extension is seen as a move to maintain stability in policing and security management as the state approaches critical phases of polling.