SPG Director Arun Kumar Sinha Passes Away: Who Was He?

Director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), Arun Kumar Sinha breathed his last on Wednesday at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon.

According to the medical reports, his family was present in the hospital. Besides some government officials and his batchmates have been informed about his death.

Reportedly, 61-year-old Arun Kumar Sinha was keeping unwell for the past few months following which he was admitted to Medanta Hospital where he was declared dead.

Who was Arun Kumar Sinha?

Kerala cadre of the 1987 batch, Sinha was the additional director general of police (Special Service and Traffic). In 2016, Sinha was directed to head the Special Protection Group (SPG) which is responsible for the security of the Prime Minister.

Sinha who was supposed to retire on May 30 this year has been granted extension for a year by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) led by PM Narendra Modi. In 2022, the ACC had cleared an extension in temporary upgradation for Sinha as DG (SPG) till May 31, 2023.

Sinha also worked with the Border Security Force (BSF). The Director of SPG spent most of his career in Kerala and was also in charge of the protection of women and Non-Resident Indian affairs.

Sinha pursued his education in Jharkhand. He has served as DCP Commissioner, Range IG, Intelligence IG and Administration IG of the Kerala Police in Thiruvananthapuram. The mastermind who tried to assassinate Maldives President Abdul Gayoom. was caught in the state capital under the supervision of Sinha when he was in charge of law and order....

He played an important role in solving cases like the email death threats against the Prime Minister and the President, and the letter bomb case. Crime Stopper system was introduced. in the city when Sinha was the city police commissioner. Sinha was also a recipient of the President's Medal for Meritorious Service.

What is Special Protection Force?

The SPG is an elite force, specifically raised for the protection of the country's Prime Minister, former PMs, and their immediate family. The force is currently 3,000 strong and it was started in 1985 in the wake of the killing of then PM Indira Gandhi in 1984.