Patna: Former Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar has taken charge as the State Chief Information Commissioner after taking oath at Raj Bhavan in Patna on Thursday.
Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office and secrecy to Kumar. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit were among those present at the ceremony.
Kumar assumed his new responsibility after recently taking voluntary retirement (VRS) from the Bihar Police. He was serving as the state DGP before moving to the State Information Commission.
VRS Approved Before Scheduled DGP Tenure Ended
Kumar, a 1991-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, applied for VRS on September 25.
The state government approved his retirement with immediate effect, relaxing the rule requiring a three-month notice from an officer seeking voluntary retirement. A separate General Administration Department notification appointed him Chief Information Commissioner from the date he assumed charge.
His scheduled two-year tenure as Bihar DGP was due to end in December 2026, but he left the post before completing the tenure.
Selection Committee Cleared His Name
Kumar’s appointment followed a meeting of the statutory selection committee chaired by the Chief Minister.
The committee cleared his name for the post before the state government issued the appointment notification. The Chief Information Commissioner position had been vacant since July 31, following the end of the tenure of former CIC Tripurari Sharan.
Key Role In RTI Matters
As Chief Information Commissioner, Kumar will head the Bihar State Information Commission, which deals with appeals and complaints under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
The commission hears cases where citizens face difficulties in obtaining information from public authorities. Its work includes dealing with appeals and complaints concerning access to information and issuing decisions under the RTI framework.
Kumar will therefore oversee the commission’s work in handling pending RTI cases, appeals and complaints.
Long Career In Bihar Police
Before becoming DGP, Kumar held several senior positions in the Bihar Police, including assignments related to law and order and the Criminal Investigation Department. He also served as Director General of the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation.
He was appointed Bihar DGP in December 2024, succeeding Alok Raj. His move to the Information Commission marks a transition from a career spanning more than three decades in the police service to a statutory role dealing with citizens’ right to information.
Preeta Verma Was Handling DGP Charge
After Kumar proceeded on leave earlier in September and before his VRS was approved, senior IPS officer Preeta Verma was given charge of the DGP’s responsibilities.
The process of selecting Bihar’s next regular DGP is separate from Kumar’s appointment as Chief Information Commissioner.
With Kumar now taking charge, the Bihar State Information Commission has a new head to oversee cases and appeals arising under the RTI Act.
