Rakesh Asthana, Indian Police Service officer of 1984 batch of Gujarat cadre , assumed the charge of Commissioner of Police, Delhi today. Although he has served as police commissioner in Surat and Vadodara cities of Gujarat, serving here is a challenging task for him.This is the first time that he has been given assignment with Capital’s police.
Prior to this, Sh. Asthana was Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) and Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). He has also held the positions of Special Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI ). Sh. Asthana also served as Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. IPS Rakesh Asthana did his graduation and post graduation from St. John’s College of Agra.
After taking over, the Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana addressed the top police brass in Vimarsh Conference Hall at Police Headquarters while other senior functionaries joined him through video conferencing. Hailing Delhi Police as the premier police force of the country with a formidable reputation in delivering services and handling challenging situations, Sh. Asthana outlined basic policing – prevention and detection of crime and maintenance of law & order- and attention to special tasks as the priority areas for all to work upon.
According to a press release, Police Commissioner Asthana praised the track record of Delhi Police in handling law and order situations and stressed upon continuing the good works in busting cyber crime, terror, narcotics, gun smuggling etc. He also stressed on community policing initiatives like Yuva, senior citizen services etc. Shri Asthana said detection of crime and strong preventive measures not only reduce the crime burden but also ensure a feeling of safety and security in the city, particularly among women and vulnerable groups, for which police should keep making more and more efforts.
“Sh. Asthana emphasized team work and responsibility to achieve the goal of making Delhi Police one of the best metropolitan police in the world ” said the release.
Prior to this Sh. Asthana was welcomed by Special Commissioner Balaji Srivastava at police headquarters. Balaji Srivastava, an officer of 1988 batch of AGMUT cadre, was given additional charge of CP, Delhi after the superannuation of S N Srivastava earlier this month.