Veteran IPS Officer Deven Bharti Takes Helm as Mumbai Police Commissioner

The Maharashtra government has appointed Deven Bharti, a seasoned Indian Police Service officer from the 1994 batch, as the new Mumbai Police Commissioner. Bharti succeeds Vivek Phansalkar, who retired on Wednesday after a 35-year career in law enforcement.

Currently serving as the Special Commissioner of Police in Mumbai, Bharti is set to assume his new role later this evening. His extensive experience includes key positions such as Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) and Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch). Bharti also led the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, notably contributing to the investigation of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which solidified his reputation as a skilled and dedicated officer.

A Maharashtra government official noted that the Commissioner’s post has been downgraded to the rank of Additional Director General of Police. Bharti’s appointment follows his tenure as a trusted figure during the previous administration of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, though he was reassigned to a less prominent role under the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

This leadership transition comes as Mumbai faces ongoing challenges in maintaining public safety and combating crime, with Bharti’s expertise expected to guide the city’s police force forward.