UP DGP HC Awasthy retires, IPS Mukul Goel emerges as front runner

New Delhi, June 30

As Uttar Pradesh DGP Hitesh Chandra Awasthi retired on June 30, ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar has been appointed the acting DGP until a replacement is named officially. 

Awasthy, a 1985-batch IPS officer, was appointed as the UP DGP in March last year. He had recently written to the CM not wishing to extend his services and retire on June 30.1

987-batch IPS officer Mukul Goel’s name has emerged as the front runner for the post. Girl had met the CM in Lucknow on June 29 leading to anticipation that he is most likely to take over as the next DGP of UP.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a tweet said that he served the state as a sharp officer. “Director General of Police Shri HC Awasthy ji is retiring today after completing 36 years in office. During his long service as an IPS officer, he has served the country and the state as a good leader and sharp officer,” said the CM. Adityanath also said that he played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is learnt that the Union Public Service Commission prepared a list of three officers for the DGP post and sent it to the government with names of IPS officers- Nasir Kamal, Mukul Goel and RP Singh.

Nasir Kamal: 1986-batch IPS officer of UP cadre Nasir Kamal is currently serving as the director, National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, New Delhi. He has handled various significant assignments in UP. Kamal has also served in the Bureau of Police Research and Development, National Crime Records Bureau and Border Security Force in staff as well as field assignments.

Mukul Goel: 1987-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre Mukul Goel is currently serving as ADG, Border Security Force. Holding a B.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering from the Delhi IIT, Goel has served in the UP Police in various capacities. Goel, who was born in Muzaffarnagar, is also a recipient of the Police Medal for Gallantry (2003), Police Medal for Meritorious Services (2003) and the President Police Medal for distinguished services (2012), reported The Tribune.

RP Singh: Mukul Goel’s batchmate Rajendra Pal Singh is presently serving as DG, Economic Offence Wing (EOW) in UP. Rajendra Pal Singh was born in Shahjahanpur and holds an MA degree in History and also a PhD.