New Delhi: Senior IPS officer of 1984 batch Rakesh Asthana is the new Commissioner of Delhi Police, which presently has the sanctioned strength of 83,762 personnel. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also approved the inter-cadre deputation from Gujarat to AGMUT cadre.

Currently holding the post of Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), Asthana replaces Balaji Srivastava. The ACC has also extended his service initially for a period of one year beyond the date of his superannuation on July 31 or until further order, whichever is earlier.

In an official notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that Director General of ITBP SS Deswal has been given the additional charge of the post of BSF DG, and that he will hold the position till the appointment and joining of the regular incumbent or until further orders.

“Consequent upon appointment of Shri Rakesh Asthana, IPS (GJ: 84), Director General, BSF, as Commissioner of Police, Delhi, the competent authority has approved that Shri SS Deswal, IPS (HY: 84), Director General, ITBP, shall hold additional charge of the post of DG, BSF vice Shri Asthana, till the appointment and joining of the regular incumbent or until further orders whichever is earlier. Accordingly, it is requested to relieve Rakesh Asthana immediately to enable him to join as the Commissioner of Police, Delhi,” reads the notification.

Asthana had earlier served as the Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He was appointed chief of the BSF in August 2020. He was also holding the additional charge of the head of the Narcotics Control Bureau. Asthana had also served as the DG of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). /BI/