Patna: Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar has been granted voluntary retirement (VRS) with immediate effect by the state Home Department and appointed as the State Chief Information Commissioner.
The General Administration Department issued the notification regarding his appointment on Friday, following a selection committee meeting in which his name was approved.
Recent reports had indicated that Kumar’s name had received the consent of a committee comprising Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.
From DGP To Information Commission
Kumar, a 1991-batch IPS officer, was serving as Bihar DGP. His fixed two-year tenure as police chief was scheduled to end on December 12, 2026.
The post of State Chief Information Commissioner had been vacant, and Kumar’s appointment comes before the scheduled end of his DGP tenure. Reports published ahead of the formal move had already indicated that the selection committee had reached a consensus on his name.
Key Role In RTI Matters
As State Chief Information Commissioner, Kumar will head the State Information Commission and oversee matters arising under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The commission deals with appeals and complaints from citizens who face difficulties in obtaining information from public authorities.
The Chief Information Commissioner plays a central role in hearing pending cases and addressing disputes related to access to information.
Kumar Had Gone On Leave
Kumar had proceeded on a 21-day leave from September 15, with Preeta Verma given charge of DGP in his absence. Contemporary reports said Kumar had cited personal reasons for the leave, while he had also clarified that he had not availed the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) benefit for the previous 10 years.
The material supplied for this report also contains claims about alleged government displeasure with Kumar over his proximity to a Union minister. Those claims are attributed to sources and have not been independently established, so they are not treated as a fact here.
Health And Retirement Plans
According to the information provided, Kumar plans to undergo treatment for a kidney stone at IGIMS during the initial phase of his leave. He is also expected to spend part of the latter period of his leave with his child.
Kumar’s retirement was originally due in December, and the voluntary retirement now clears the way for his transition to the State Information Commission.
Formal Transition
With the VRS approved and his appointment as State Chief Information Commissioner notified, Kumar’s tenure as Bihar DGP has effectively come to an end ahead of its scheduled December conclusion.
