IPS officer’s suicide: Shatrujeet Kapur sent on leave, who is Haryana's new DGP OP Singh?

Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Om Prakash Singh has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana. Singh, a 1992-batch officer, will take charge as DGP in an additional capacity, following the controversy that led to the current DGP, Shatrujeet Singh Kapur, being sent on leave after the alleged suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar.

According to an official order issued by Sumita Mishra Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), the Governor of Haryana has approved Singh’s appointment. The order stated: “The Governor of Haryana is pleased to assign the additional charge of DGP, Haryana, to Om Prakash Singh, IPS (1992 RR), during the leave period of Shatrujeet Singh Kapur.”

Who is OP Singh?

With more than 32 years of service, Singh has had a wide-ranging career in policing. He has served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in five districts and as Police Commissioner of both Ambala-Panchkula and Faridabad. He has also worked as Inspector General (IG) for the Rewari and Hisar Ranges.

Currently, OP Singh holds several key positions. He serves as the Managing Director of the Haryana Police Housing Corporation in Panchkula, Director General of the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB), and Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Madhuban.

Between 2004 and 2007, Singh worked in the Union Finance Ministry, where he helped frame the rules under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He is credited with registering and investigating the first-ever case under India’s anti-money laundering law, marking an important milestone in financial crime investigation.

As the Director of Haryana’s Sports Department from 2008 to 2012, Singh introduced the PIE Model (Participation, Inclusion & Excellence) to promote sports in the state.

His SPAT Sports Scholarship Programme, launched under the slogan “Play for India”, encouraged more than a million children to participate in sports activities across Haryana.

Singh has also received two major honours, the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2008) and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2017), for his dedication and contributions.