The Gujarat government on Wednesday appointed senior IPS officer Dr K Laxmi Narayan Rao as the in-charge Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the state. This move fills the crucial vacancy created by the retirement of the outgoing police chief, Vikas Sahay, on December 31, 2025.
A Seasoned Officer Takes the Helm
Dr KLN Rao, a 1992-batch Indian Police Service officer, currently holds the position of DGP for CID (Crime and Railways). He will now shoulder the additional responsibilities of leading the entire Gujarat Police force. Rao has also retained his additional charge as the DGP of Prisons and Correctional Administration, a portfolio he has managed for an extended period.
This appointment has sparked speculation within political and bureaucratic circles about whether Rao will be confirmed as the full-time DGP in the coming months. A precedent exists: his predecessor, Vikas Sahay, also served as in-charge DGP for a month in February 2023 before being given the substantive role in March of that year.
Why Rao is the Frontrunner
Dr Rao is widely considered the frontrunner for the top job on a permanent basis. As the seniormost officer with a clear runway before his superannuation, he fits the profile for a stable tenure. Rao is slated to retire in 2027, which would provide the state government with a consistent leadership for over two years if he is confirmed.
The top post became officially vacant on Wednesday after Vikas Sahay, a 1989-batch IPS officer, retired following a tenure of two years and ten months. Sahay's retirement was preceded by a six-month extension granted beyond his original superannuation date of June 30, 2025. This made him the third consecutive Gujarat Police chief to receive a service extension, following Ashish Bhatia (eight months) and Shivanand Jha (three months).
A Career Steeped in Key Responsibilities
Dr KLN Rao brings a wealth of specialized experience to his new role. His deep association with the state's prison administration is particularly notable. He has served as the chief of Prisons for the past six years, having been first appointed as ADGP and Inspector General of Prisons on September 30, 2019. Following his promotion to the rank of Director General of Police in April 2024, he continued in this crucial role.
In a significant reshuffle just a few months ago, on September 30, 2025, Rao was transferred to the ex-cadre post of DGP CID (Crime and Railways). Despite this move, he kept the additional charge of the Prisons department, indicating the government's confidence in his handling of this sensitive portfolio. His new role as in-charge DGP now consolidates his oversight over the state's crime investigation, railway security, prison system, and the overarching state police force.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this in-charge assignment transitions into a full-fledged appointment for Dr Rao, as the Gujarat government seeks to ensure stability and continued leadership in its law enforcement machinery.
