In a major administrative reshuffle on the first day of the New Year, the Haryana government has appointed Ajay Singhal, a seasoned 1992-batch IPS officer, as the new Director General of Police (DGP). Singhal officially took charge today from the officiating DGP, O.P. Singh, in a ceremony held at the State Police Headquarters.
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The Transition: Outgoing officiating DGP O.P. Singh handed over the baton to Singhal, wishing him a successful tenure. Singhal’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the state seeks to consolidate the gains made in crime reduction over the previous year.
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The “Tech-Driven” Vision: Immediately after assuming office, DGP Ajay Singhal outlined his primary objective: modernizing the force. “Traditional policing must evolve. My focus will be on a ‘tech-driven’ approach—leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for predictive policing, strengthening our cyber defense, and ensuring that every police station in Haryana is digitally empowered,” Singhal stated.
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Key Priorities for 2026:
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Combating Gang Culture: The new DGP emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward organized crime and inter-state gangs.
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Cyber Security: With the rise in digital fraud, he announced plans to set up specialized Cyber Forensic Labs in every range.
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Women’s Safety: Strengthening the ‘Durga Shakti’ initiative and reducing the response time of ‘Dial 112’ are high on his agenda.
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Drug-Free Haryana: He vowed to intensify the crackdown on drug traffickers, focusing on breaking the “backbone” of the supply chain.
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Professional Profile: Ajay Singhal is known for his clean record and vast experience in various wings of the police, including Intelligence, Vigilance, and District Policing. His previous stints in high-pressure roles have earned him a reputation as a “no-nonsense” officer with an eye for innovation.
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Direct Message to Personnel: In his first address to the force, Singhal urged all personnel to be “citizen-friendly yet criminal-fearing.” He emphasized that the welfare of the police force, including housing and health, would be a priority under his leadership.
