Punjab Government has appointed 1992-batch IPS officer and counter-intelligence expert Gaurav Yadav as the officiating Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP). He was currently serving as the Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Yadav's appointment comes as the incumbent VK Bhawra has proceeded on a two-month leave, seeking the central deputation. It has been learnt that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government, facing severe criticism over deteriorating law and order situation, is not happy with Bhawra’s functioning.

As Bhawra’s appointment has been made by the union public service commission for a tenure of two years, the government cannot replace him, but only make a temporary appointment.

Notably, Bhawra has been in line of fire over the killing of renowned Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, whose security was withdrawn a day before the incident. Besides, the police faced several embarrassing moments in the investigation of the case and prevention of crimes. He had to clarify his statement on Moosewala’s killing, linking it to a gang war.

Interestingly, Yadav had cleared his Civil Services Examination in 1992, along with Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal. While Yadav got selected in the Indian Police Service (IPS), Kejriwal went for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

Yadav had led the Punjab Police'’s 2014 international operation to apprehend one of the most wanted terrorists, Jagtar Singh Tara. Son-in-law of Punjab’s former DGP PC Dogra, Yadav has held a number of key positions, including acting as head of the Intelligence wing under the SAD-BJP government in 2016.

He was also SSP in Punjab for 10 years and Commissioner of Police for four years. He served as the Chandigarh SSP from 2002 to 2004.