New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Senior IPS officer Shashi Bhushan Kumar Singh, who has investigated high-profile cases like the Uphaar Fire Tragedy and Ponty Chaddha murder case, was appointed as the Director General (Prisons) on Saturday, a government order said.
While he was the Director General (Home Guards), Singh, the 1988-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, was recently given additional charge of Delhi Police Commissioner by an order by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on July 31.
On Thursday, senior 1992-batch IPS officer Satish Golcha, who was the previous DG (Prisons), was made the Delhi Police Commissioner, succeeding S B K Singh, who held the post for just 21 days.
Golcha's appointment as police commissioner came a day after an attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing at her Civil Lines office on Wednesday. The officials, however, said that the posting had nothing to do with the attack.
Additionally, two senior 1991-batch IPS officers of the AGMUT cadre have also been transferred. Virendra Singh Chahal, holding the charge of Special Commissioner of Police (Licensing & Legal Division), has been posted as DG (Civil Defence), while Nuzhat Hussan, holding the charge of Special CP (Human Resource Division), has been posted as DG (Home Guards).
Scheduled to retire in February 2026, Singh, with a career spanning over 36 years, has held several pivotal positions in the Delhi Police and also served as the head of police forces in two northeastern states -- Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
"The Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor is pleased to transfer Sh. S B K Singh, IPS (AGMUT: 1988), holding the charge of Director General (Home Guards) and post him as Director General (Prisons) with immediate effect," the order read.
An alumnus of St Stephen's College, University of Delhi, Singh joined the Indian Police Service after graduation in 1986.
He later completed an MBA degree with a specialisation in human resource management. His policing career reflects a rare blend of field experience, administrative innovation, and technological foresight.
Before assuming charge as the Delhi Police Commissioner, Singh served as the Director General (Home Guards), Delhi.
Singh has served in key positions in Delhi Police, such as ACP Karol Bagh, Additional DCP of South, and DCP in both Northeast and Central districts.
Singh has led and supervised several high-profile and sensitive investigations during his career. Among the most prominent were the Uphaar cinema fire tragedy, which claimed numerous lives and drew nationwide attention. He also investigated the sensational Ponty Chadha murder case.
He was also instrumental in probing a series of complex land scam cases, where he played a key role in unearthing financial irregularities and bringing influential individuals under the scanner.
Singh later headed the Economic Offences Wing, and served as Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) and Special Commissioner of Police in various domains that included intelligence, security, law and order and technology and project implementation.
As Special CP (Law and Order), the IPS officer introduced public facilitation desks in police stations and supervised major arrangements and investigations across seven police districts comprising 89 police stations.
As Special CP (Security), Singh led high-profile security operations, notably the Republic Day celebrations in 2015 during the visit of then US President Barack Obama and the Indo-Africa Forum Summit the same year, which saw participation from 54 heads of state and dignitaries.
Singh's tenure as DGP of Mizoram was marked by progressive initiatives, including the launch of the state's first all-women police station, a tourist police unit, and the introduction of the Mizoram Safety Application.
He implemented an e-challan system for traffic violations and brought Mizoram Police onto social media platforms, while devising strategies to curb drug trafficking across the Myanmar border.
In Arunachal Pradesh, Singh launched the Arunachal Suraksha mobile application, introduced an online complaint portal, and set up their official Facebook and X handles for public interaction.
He also promoted over 1,500 constables to honorary head constables, showcasing his commitment to personnel welfare.
A forward-thinking officer, Singh was instrumental in developing the 'Lost Report' mobile application and a web-based police clearance certificate system while serving as Special CP (Intelligence) in Delhi Police.
His career also includes over seven years of service in the Cabinet Secretariat (RAW), with postings in India and abroad.
He is also decorated with the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, and a Silver Medal for National e-Governance.