It has been seven weeks since Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, IPS (HY: 1990) then Director-General, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) (formerly State Vigilance Bureau-SVB) got appointed as Director-General of Police (DGP), Haryana (Head of Police Force- HoPF) vide Home Department Order bearing No. 2/2/2023-2HG-1 dated 16 August 2023. Meanwhile, Hemant Kumar, an expert and advocate at Punjab and Haryana High Court said that there has been no explicit mention in the ibid Order dated 16 Aug 2023 that Shatrujeet Kapoor, DGP (HoPF), Haryana would continue to hold the additional charge of DG, ACB. Even the official website of Haryana Police is currently showing Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor as DGP, Haryana only.
However, the official website of the State Anti-Corruption Bureau, Haryana currently mentions the name of Shatrujeet Kapoor, IPS as DG/ACB Haryana. Amidst all this, the Advocate has written to the Haryana Government over whether Shatrujeet Kapoor, DGP (HoPF), Haryana has formally been delegated additional charge of DG, ACB, Haryana after 16 Aug 2023 and till date or else DGP (HoPF), Haryana is the Link Officer of DG, ACB, Haryana. Hemant asserted that the concept of Link Officers is prevalent in the Personnel Department of the Haryana Government in respect of State IAS/HCS officers especially those holding key positions and the comprehensive list in this regard is also available on the official website of Chief Secretary, Haryana. Explaining the concept, he said that in case of absence of IAS/HCS officers being on leave/training/tour/election duty or away for more than two days due to any other reason or in the event of a vacancy due to retirement/transfer of officer, the work is looked after by the respective Link Officer(s). For example, the Link Officer of the State Home Secretary is Financial Commissioner, Revenue cum ACS, Revenue and the second Link Officer is Finance Secretary.
However, it is not officially clear and even available in the public domain that a similar concept of Link Officer has also been put in place in the State’s Home Department in respect of IPS officers especially those holding key posts like DG, and ACB. The Advocate has urged the Haryana Government to issue a suitable clarification in this regard.
