Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday promoted senior IPS officers Sanjeeb Panda and Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP), following approval from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Panda is currently heading the anti-Naxal operations, while his batchmate Jethwa is serving as Director of Vigilance.
Panda’s elevation is being closely watched as he emerges as a strong contender for the top police post, with incumbent DGP Y B Khurania completing his two-year tenure on August 16.
While the senior-most officer, 1990-batch Sudhanshu Sarangi, currently DG of Fire Services, and 1993-batch R P Koche, Director of Intelligence, remain in the race, government sources indicate that the 1994-batch Panda holds an edge. His prospects have been strengthened by Odisha’s success in meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s target of a Naxal-free India by March 2026.
The state is expected to forward a fresh panel of probable DGP candidates, comprising Sarangi, Koche, Panda and Jethwa, to the Union Public Service Commission for shortlisting three names.
Panda’s chances have further improved after the UPSC reportedly received adverse feedback from the Central Bureau of Investigation about Susanta Kumar Nath, DG (Prisons), in connection with the sub-inspector recruitment scam. Nath, who earlier headed the Odisha Police Recruitment Board, oversaw examinations that were cancelled last year amid allegations of question paper leaks; the matter was subsequently transferred to the CBI.
With Nath out of contention, Panda, previously fourth in seniority, moves up to third position, giving him a stronger opportunity at the DGP post even if it involves superseding two seniors, according to government officers.