On November 25, 2024, the Uttarakhand government announced the appointment of Deepam Seth as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for the state. Seth, who is of the 1995 batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS), previously served as the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and has held various pivotal roles across both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand throughout his career.
This transition marks Seth as the 13th individual to take on the role of DGP since the establishment of this position within Uttarakhand. He replaces Abhinav Kumar, who had been serving as the acting DGP since November of the previous year after the retirement of former DGP Ashok Kumar. The official notice of his appointment was issued by Shailesh Bagauli, the Secretary to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Deepam Seth's Journey
Deepam Seth’s career spans multiple significant positions starting from his early days as the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) in districts such as Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar, reflecting his extensive experience within police operations. Notably, Seth also served as the City Superintendent of Police (CSP) for Agra.
His career took on new dimensions when Uttarakhand was formed as a separate state; Seth became the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Nainital. His progressive roles saw him take on responsibilities as the Additional Secretary of Home, Inspector General of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Inspector General of Law and Order. Most recently, Seth had been deployed as the Inspector General for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) stationed in Chandigarh.
With the responsibility of managing law and order across Uttarakhand, Seth is expected to leverage his extensive law enforcement background to tackle the challenges at hand. He aims to address matters ranging from societal safety to specialized operational tactics.
Challenges Ahead
Seth's appointment is pivotal as Uttarakhand is seeing its share of challenges, including maintaining public safety, enforcing law and order, and managing various issues relating to tourism and natural disaster response. His proven track record indicates he may tackle these challenges head-on, implementing strategies honed during his varied experiences.
Seth enters the role at a time marked by complications due to climate-related events and increasing public safety concerns. His experience with frontline policing and administration will be instrumental as the new DGP. Following significant incidents, including environmental crises and social upheavals, there's anticipation for Seth to outline strategic responses to unforeseen challenges.
What Lies Ahead
Abhinav Kumar's tenure as acting DGP faced scrutiny, particularly with complaints about police accountability and transparency at various levels. Critics pointed out the need for reforms and greater citizen engagement. Therefore, Seth stepping in offers renewed hope for reformative change.
Expectations from Seth include not only ensuring traditional law enforcement practices are maintained but also embracing the necessity for modern policing methods. This incorporates technology alongside community engagement strategies to fortify trust within the public sphere.
Notably, Seth's leadership style has been characterized by building rapport with community stakeholders, which is seen as beneficial for improving police relations across all demographics. Analysts believe this can mitigate mistrust, particularly within vulnerable communities who have encountered adverse experiences with law enforcement.
Broader Implications
Deepam Seth's ascent to DGP brings hope and apprehension alike. Optimism surrounds the prospect of social stability and improved relationships between police and community as he gears up to embrace his new role. Meanwhile, skeptics remain cautious, advocating for accountability and innovative crime-fighting measures. Seth is compelled to establish trust by fostering transparent governance practices to address societal expectations and police accountability.
His reputation for being approachable plays favorably, potentially improving morale within police ranks, allowing officers to perform more effectively. While the new DGP faces scrutiny, history indicates those willing to adapt and innovate often succeed where others have failed. Indeed, his initial actions will be observed closely, setting the tone for his lengthy commitment to leading law enforcement throughout the diverse landscapes of Uttarakhand.
