Bhubaneswar: Odia IPS officer Utkal Ranjan Sahoo has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) in Rajasthan, succeeding the voluntary retirement of the incumbent Umesh Mishra. The change in leadership comes as Umesh Mishra officially stepped down from the position, having been appointed as the DGP of Rajasthan on October 27, 2022.
Utkal Ranjan Sahoo, born in Odisha, brings a wealth of experience to his new role as the DGP of Rajasthan. He is a 1988 batch IPS officer of the Rajasthan cadre and holds an M.Tech in Engineering Geology. Currently serving as the Director General of Home Guard in Rajasthan, Sahoo has a distinguished career in law enforcement.
In 1991, Sahoo began his journey in the police force as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Jodhpur East. Over the years, he assumed crucial roles, serving as the chief of police in various districts of Rajasthan, including Hanumangarh, Sikar, Banswara, Sriganganagar, and Bhilwara. His dedication and contribution to law enforcement were recognized with the Police Medal in 2005 and the prestigious President’s Police Medal in 2017.
Umesh Mishra, the outgoing DGP, hails from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and had been regarded as one of the favored officers of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. His tenure saw significant contributions to the state’s law enforcement apparatus.
The appointment of Utkal Ranjan Sahoo reflects the state’s commitment to leadership transitions within the police force, ensuring continuity and expertise in maintaining law and order. As the new DGP, Sahoo is expected to bring his extensive experience and strategic vision to further strengthen Rajasthan’s security landscape.
