Sanjay Arora takes charge as Delhi CP, Rakesh Asthana gets a warm farewell with outpour of love, appreciation

New Delhi, August 1

The new Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora took charge as the 25th Commisioner of Delhi Police on August 1.
The top brass of Delhi Police welcomed the new commissioner warmly at the Delhi Police Headquarters.

Arora, a 1988 batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, was the DG ITBP. He was transferred to UT cadre and appointed as the Delhi CP on July 31.

After taking over as the CP, IPS officer Sanjay Arora met the officers of Delhi Police and was brief on the ongoing work of the force.

Senior IPS officer Rakesh Asthana was given a farewell full at Delhi Police Headquarters with officers sharing their experiences of working with Asthana. In a spectacular function, he expressed gratitude to Delhi Police for supporting him in all his decisions.

He upheld the immense support he received from the Delhi Police officers and credited the success to them. Most importantly, he stood out while thanking the former Delhi CP Balaji Srivastava, currently DG Of Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) for his contribution.

Asthana said, "Balaji Srivastava had only been commissioner for a month when my order came. He was still very composed and carried himself well. I admire him because he accepted an outsider like me. It is very difficult. He briefed me before leaving, and throughout my tenure he kept in touch and was helpful".

Asthana emphasized that he had a satisfactory and enriching experience with Delhi Police.

He said, "I worked hard to bring changes in Delhi Police and I desired to serve the nation. The desire still remains. Although I am retiring today but it feels that I can do a lot more for Delhi, the force, the country and I will do it in future too. Delhi is a very different place unlike other cities. The knack with which the police here handle law and order situations, high profile cases and incidents is a an example for others. There is lot more to do for Delhi Police. However, anyone who joins the force has to retire one day".

Asthana cited a few cases that Delhi Police handled with proficiency and said that he takes pride to say that his officers never let me go to the field and handle a situation.

He said, "I am proud of a team like Delhi Police that never let me down. In any situation, the officers used to ensure that they will take care and never disturbed me. I placed my trust in them that they have the ability to do it. I never questioned them twice on their decisions. In fact, it is theri ideas and suggestions that I implemented for betterment of the force and they supported thoroughly".

While quoting a law and order situation, Asthana said, " I am saying this with pride about the Delhi Police’s handling of the Jahangirpuri riots of April. I was in Jabalpur and received information that something happened in Jahangirpuri. I immediately called DCP Usha Rangnani and she told me that situation will be handled by the police. I then called Special CP Depender Pathak and he told me that he’s reaching in 10 minutes. He assured me that everything will be controlled in an hour and it was (controlled). I was anxious but the situation was controlled in stipulated period of time".

Asthana was overwhelmed with the outpour of appreciation and love for him and said, " I was sceptical for a moment because of my background replacing an AGMUT cadre officer but I think we did well… I want to thank everyone. Every person worked during my tenure and did what I expected them to do".

Senior officers shared their experiences with Asthana and all unanimously appreciated hai style of working, his motivation behind the force and some key decisions he took for Delhi Police.

The officers appreciated him for boosting the name of Delhi Police at a national level and joining hands with other police agencies for co ordination and functioning. The officers appreciated Asthana for his vision for work and joining Delhi Police when it needed a boost.
Asthana while speaking at the event also mentioned about his mentor Late IPS officer PK Dutta. 

He said, "Officer Dutta was my Guru and he taught me two important things during my ASPship. It was to work with a head held high. He taught me how to build a team and lead like a leader and not a boss while being appreciative, motivating and helpful towards their needs and situations and never let them sit idle. A police force that works on field should be alert and working. He taught firmness and taught me appreciate a policeman for his good work and even reprimand if necessary but never take a step that takes his job and pride away and I followed these two thumb rules throughout my career".

Asthana was accompanied by former President of Police Families Welfare Society Anu Asthana and his family members at the farewell ceremony. Anu Asthana as the President of PFWS did an outstanding work of taking the work of the PWFS society to a top notch level with their tie ups and initiatives for education, health and welfare of the police families.
Asthana would be remembered for making key changes in Delhi Police for not only improving basic policing but taking key steps for a modernized and forthcoming police force.

Asthana has passed the baton to senior IPS officer Sanjay Arora, an officer with years of experience in fine policing.