The Odisha government tonight appointed Kanwar Brajesh Singh as the new Director General of Police (DGP) as the existing DGP Sanjeev Marik went on leave before his retirement due in December 31, official sources said.
Marik, a 1981 batch IPS officer, was in the post of DGP, Odisha since July 6, 2014.
However, he got embroiled into controversy during Lord Jagannth's Navakalebara festival and in some other matters, the sources said.
K B Singh, a 1985 batch officer was working as the Director of State Vigilance.
Singh was considered as the blue-eyed officer of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik apparently after his contribution in framing up corruption charge against an ex-DGP, according to informed sources.
Though Singh's action invited criticism from the Orissa High Court, he continued to remain in the good book of Patnaik, the sources in the Chief Minister's Office said.
The state government also effected a reshuffle of the IPS officers following appointment of the new DGP. YB Khurania would replace K B Singh as the Director of State Vigilance.
Similarly, the 1982 batch IPS officer Binay Behera was appointed as DG (Home Guard & Fire Services) while SM Narvane was given the charge of Director of Biju Patnaik State Police Academy.
