Patna: In a significant reshuffle, the Bihar government on Friday transferred 18 IPS officers, including Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avkash Kumar, who has been replaced by 2014 batch IPS officer Kartikeya Sharma. The transfers were notified by the state Home Department as part of a broader administrative shake-up aimed at strengthening law enforcement across the state.
Avkash Kumar, who had taken charge as Patna SSP on December 28, 2023, has now been posted to BMP-1. His transfer comes less than six months into his tenure amid mounting criticism over his handling of law and order in the state capital. Rising incidents of violent crime, including recent daylight murders, had reportedly eroded confidence in his leadership.
Kartikeya Sharma, who now takes over the reins in Patna, brings an impressive academic and professional background. Born on September 4, 1988, Sharma completed his early education in Ranchi before graduating in engineering from IIT Kharagpur. He later pursued a PGDM from IIM Ahmedabad. He joined the Indian Police Service in 2014 after clearing the UPSC examination and has served in various capacities in the Bihar cadre.
Other key postings in the reshuffle include the transfer of Patna City SP (Central) Sweety Sehrawat, who has been made SP of Purnia. Sarath RS will now serve as SP of Supaul. Chandrashekhar Prasad, previously posted as SP in Patna CID, has been appointed SP (Law and Order), Patna.
Ashok Kumar Mishra, earlier SP of Samastipur, has been assigned to the Special Branch. Supaul SP Shaishav Yadav has been transferred as Assistant Inspector General (Modernisation), Patna.
