ADVOCATE SEEKS IMMEDIATE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, REPRESENTATION SENT TO HARYANA GOVERNOR, CHIEF MINISTER AND HOME DEPARTMENT OVER CONTINUED VACANCY IN KEY LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICE
Face2News/Chandigarh
Raising serious concerns over what he describes as a prolonged administrative vacuum in one of Haryana’s most important policing establishments, Punjab and Haryana High Court Advocate Hemant Kumar has submitted a detailed public representation to the Governor of Haryana, the Chief Minister and the State Home Department, seeking the immediate appointment of a Commissioner of Police for Panchkula.
In his representation, Hemant pointed out that the post of Commissioner of Police, Panchkula has remained vacant for more than a month following the transfer of senior IPS officer Sibash Kabiraj (IPS: 1999 batch), who was posted as Commissioner of Police, Gurugram by the Haryana Government on May 17, 2026.
According to the representation, despite the passage of over five weeks since the transfer order, the State Government has neither appointed a regular incumbent to head the Panchkula Police Commissionerate nor publicly entrusted the additional charge of the office to any other senior IPS officer.
Calling the situation unusual and administratively concerning, Hemant emphasized that the Commissioner of Police is the highest executive authority within the Police Commissionerate and is responsible for maintaining law and order, crime prevention, public safety, policing strategy and overall command and supervision of the force.
Statutory Powers Also Involved: The Advocate further highlighted that under the provisions of the Haryana Police Act, 2007, read with the State Government notification issued on October 18, 2016, the Commissioner of Police exercises several powers traditionally vested in the District Magistrate under criminal procedure laws.
He noted that with the implementation of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, these responsibilities continue to carry substantial legal and administrative significance.
“The prolonged absence of a duly designated Commissioner of Police may potentially affect not only policing functions but also the exercise of important statutory and magisterial powers entrusted to the office,” the representation states.
No Link Officer Arrangement? ” Hemant has also claimed that no formally notified “Link Officer” arrangement appears to be in place for the Panchkula Police Commissionerate at present, thereby raising concerns regarding institutional accountability, continuity of decision-making and administrative efficiency.
He stressed that Panchkula, being a rapidly expanding urban centre and a vital component of the Tricity region alongside Chandigarh and Mohali, requires uninterrupted leadership at the highest level of the police administration.
Demand for Immediate Appointment: Seeking urgent intervention, the advocate has requested the Haryana Government to immediately take cognizance of the continued vacancy and either appoint a suitable IPS officer as Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, or, pending a regular appointment, assign the additional charge of the office to an appropriate senior officer to prevent any further administrative vacuum. Hemant has maintained that ensuring continuous occupancy of such a key statutory post is essential for effective governance, maintenance of law and order, public confidence and efficient discharge of statutory responsibilities in the larger public interest.
The representation has been addressed to Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who also holds the Home portfolio, and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sudhir Rajpal, IAS, seeking an early decision in the matter.
