**Deven Bharti Appointed as New Commissioner of Mumbai Police**
Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Deven Bharti, who previously led the investigation into the 26/11 attacks, has been appointed as the new commissioner of Mumbai Police. Bharti, known for his close ties to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, takes over from Vivek Phansalkar, who retired recently.
A 1994 batch IPS officer from Bihar, Bharti has been serving as the special commissioner of Mumbai Police since 2023, a position established by the Mahayuti government despite facing opposition criticism. Throughout his career, Bharti has held several significant roles within the Mumbai Police, including one of the longest tenures as joint commissioner of police (law & order) and additional commissioner of police (crime branch). He also led the Maharashtra State Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS).
During his time as joint commissioner under the BJP-Shiv Sena government led by Devendra Fadnavis, Bharti was responsible for overseeing the operations of over 90 police stations in Mumbai, establishing himself as one of the most influential police officers in the state. However, his position changed under the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA regime, which saw him reassigned to the Maharashtra State Security Corporation (MSSC).
A senior official from the Maharashtra police noted last year that Bharti possesses extensive knowledge of the city and its underworld, stating, “He has a superb network in the underworld.” Despite his expertise, Bharti’s career has faced scrutiny due to alleged connections with the underworld. A report by former Mumbai Police commissioner Sanjay Pandey claimed that Bharti had ties to criminals associated with notorious gangster Dawood Ibrahim, based on assertions from a convicted criminal.
As Bharti steps into his new role, the implications of his past experiences and connections will be closely observed, particularly in the context of Mumbai’s complex law enforcement landscape.
**FAQ**
*What is Deven Bharti’s background in law enforcement?*
Deven Bharti is a 1994 batch IPS officer with extensive experience in various roles within the Mumbai Police, including joint commissioner of police and head of the Maharashtra ATS. He has been involved in significant investigations, including the 26/11 attacks.