At present holding the charge of DGP (CID), Bhandari has replaced D.S.Minhas, who proceeded on leave. Minhas is due to retire on August 31.
Asked about his priority, Bhandari said "corruption is of course a major issue and all possible efforts would be made to curb corruption and crime and stringent action would be taken against people indulging in unlawful activities".
Bhandari is the third in the seniority list but two other senior officers Anirudh Uppal and R N Gupta are currently on central deputation.
Bhandari is due to retire in 2014.