Bhubaneswar: The omission of two senior ADG-rank officer in the December 30 list for promotion has triggered widespread discussions within police circles and administrative corridors.
Sanjeeb Panda, currently heading anti-Naxal operations, and Yeshwant Jethwa, Director of Vigilance, both from the 1994 IPS batch, have been eligible for elevation to DGP rank for more than a year.
On Tuesday, the Odisha government promoted 14 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including Inspector General Shyni S to the additional DGP rank. Soorya Thankappan, who is on central deputation, was also allowed to avail proforma promotion to the rank of ADG of police. Similarly, Satyajit Naik and Umashankar Dash have been promoted to the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP). Prakash R, who
is currently on central deputation, has also been granted proforma promotion to the rank of IGP. Madkar Sandeep Sampat and Sudhanshu Sekhar Mishra, who are also on central deputation, were promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police.
Additionally, nine SPs received pay scale upgrades to junior administrative and selection grades, effective from January 1, 2026.
Though Panda and Jethwa meet all eligibility criteria, their promotions were deferred primarily due to the absence of available vacancies in the DGP cadre. Odisha has a sanctioned strength of four DGP posts —two in-cadre and two ex-cadre. However, six officers currently hold the DGP rank: Y B Khurania (current DGP), Sudhanshu Sarangi, Sapna Tewari (on central deputation), Susanta Nath, Vinaytosh Mishra, and R P Koche. Therefore, five DGPs are actively serving in the state, exceeding the sanctioned limit, the TOI reported quoting sources.
The delay in elevating Panda and Jethwa, both viewed as frontrunners for the upcoming DGP appointment with the current incumbent Y B Khurania’s term ending in August 2026, has fuelled speculation regarding potential leadership changes in the Odisha Police.