New Delhi: In a swift administrative reshuffle following the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Union Home Ministry has appointed Satish Golcha, a 1992-batch IPS officer, as the new Delhi Police Commissioner with immediate effect.
The move comes less than 24 hours after an assailant from Gujarat entered the Chief Minister’s residence during a Jan Sunwai programme and physically attacked her. The incident exposed glaring security lapses in the protection cover provided to the CM, sparking urgent reviews at the highest levels of the intelligence and security establishment.
Security Failure and Immediate Action
According to sources, a joint inquiry by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Delhi Police highlighted serious gaps in the security cordon around the CM’s residence. The findings reportedly accelerated the decision to replace the police chief.
SBK Singh, who was holding the additional charge of Delhi Police Commissioner while serving as DG (Home Guards), has been relieved of his duties barely three weeks after assuming the role.
Profile of Satish Golcha
Golcha, currently serving as DG of Tihar Prisons, has a long track record in law and order management. During the Delhi riots, he was posted as Special CP (Law and Order – East Zone) and was tasked with restoring normalcy in one of the most volatile phases in the capital’s recent history.
Officials confirmed that Golcha will formally take charge within the next 24 hours. His appointment is being viewed as a strong signal of accountability and urgency in the aftermath of the security breach.
Additional Security for CM
In light of the attack, the Centre has also augmented security cover for CM Rekha Gupta, who will now receive CRPF protection in addition to Z+ security provided by Delhi Police.
Senior officers said the shake-up reflects the seriousness with which the government is treating the incident. “The change in leadership at Delhi Police is both a corrective measure and a message of zero tolerance for security failures at the highest political level,” a senior official remarked.
