Dadwal pips Kiran Bedi for top cop job in Delhi

New Delhi, July 25: Special Commissioner (Administration) Yudhbir Singh Dadwal was today appointed Delhi Police Commissioner pipping Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS officer to the post.

Dadwal and Bedi were the two officers whose names were finalised and sent to the Home Ministry for approval a couple of days back.

A 1974 batch IPS officer, Dadwal, who replaces K K Paul, will be the new Delhi police chief, according to an official communique.

Dadwal pipped the Magsaysay Award winner for the top post, who is senior to him by two years.

Well-versed with the city and its moorings, Dadwal is familiar with most of the Delhi Police network spanning over nine districts.

Known for her reformist policies and 'tough cop' image Ms Bedi, whose name had cropped up several times whenever a vacancy for the top cop slot arose, was bitter in her reaction to the government decision and has applied for three months leave in protest.

''This sends a very wrong message where merit and seniority was given a go-by and only those who toe the official line were rewarded,'' she told the media.

Asked what she plans to do in the wake of being superseded, Ms Bedi said ''all options, including legal, are open.''

UNI