In a swift and significant move, Delhi Police Commissioner SBK Singh has been replaced by Satish Golcha, a 1992 batch IPS officer, just a day after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public meeting at her residence. The attack, which saw the CM slapped and her hair pulled, raised serious questions about the security arrangements provided to top political figures in Delhi. SBK Singh, who had been given additional charge as the Delhi Police Commissioner only on August 1, has now been replaced following the breach of security. Singh, an IPS officer from the 1988 batch, had been serving as the Director General of Home Guards before taking over as Commissioner.
The new appointee, Satish Golcha, is also from the AGMUT cadre and has held several key positions in the Delhi Police, including Deputy Commissioner of Police, Joint Commissioner of Police, and Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order & Intelligence). Golcha has had an extensive career, and his experience includes serving as the Special Commissioner of Police during the North East Delhi riots in 2020. Most recently, he was appointed Director General (Prisons) in April 2024. His deep-rooted experience in law enforcement makes him well-positioned to take on this crucial role.
The attack on Chief Minister Gupta occurred during a ‘Jan Sunwai’ event at her residence in Shalimar Bagh, where a man, identified as Rajesh Sakariya from Rajkot, Gujarat, carried out a recce of the CM’s residence before assaulting her. CCTV footage showed Sakariya attacking the CM, and it was revealed that he was upset over a Supreme Court ruling to relocate stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. This triggered a public outcry over the effectiveness of the Delhi Police’s security measures.
Following the incident, questions about the adequacy of security were raised, prompting sources to hint at potential changes within the Delhi Police. Sakariya has been charged with multiple offenses, including attempt to murder. His mother, Bhanu Sakariya, explained that her son was furious over the Supreme Court’s ruling and left for Delhi shortly after.
Despite the shocking attack, CM Rekha Gupta remains determined. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she expressed her resolve to continue serving the public, stating that such attacks would never break her spirit. She thanked her supporters and assured them that her commitment to public service and resolving issues would only grow stronger.
The replacement of SBK Singh as Delhi Police Commissioner marks a crucial shift in the state’s approach to ensuring the safety of its top leaders. With Satish Golcha taking over, the focus will likely turn to strengthening the security protocols for high-profile individuals, particularly after the recent breach that left the CM injured. The government’s response to this incident and the changes in the police leadership will be closely watched, especially given the growing concerns over political violence and safety in Delhi.
