Who Is IPS Manoj Kumar Verma? Kolkata's New Police Commissioner

Manoj Kumar Verma has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police in Kolkata, succeeding Vineet Goyal. This decision was made by the West Bengal government on Tuesday. Verma, an IPS officer from the 1998 batch, previously held the position of Additional Director General (law and order).

Verma's appointment follows a meeting between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and protesting junior doctors. During this meeting, it was announced that Vineet Goyal would step down from his role as the city's top cop. Goyal has now been assigned as the ADG and Inspector General of West Bengal police's Special Task Force.

Background and Education

Manoj Kumar Verma spent his early years studying at various Kendriya Vidyalayas and a military school in Belgaum, Karnataka, due to his father's service in the Indian Army. He shared these details during a Facebook interview. Verma graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from an engineering college in Kota before pursuing civil service exams.

He joined the Indian Police Service in 1998 after completing his training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad. His career began with a stint as the police commissioner of Siliguri before he took on other significant roles within West Bengal's police force.

Career Highlights

In 2016, Verma was appointed as Inspector General (IG) of Traffic in West Bengal. The following year, he became Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Darjeeling and later served as ADG and Inspector General of the Intelligence Bureau. In January 2024, he was promoted to Additional Director General (ADG), law and order.

Jawed Shamim, an IPS officer from the 1995 batch, will now assume Verma's previous role as ADG and Inspector General (law and order). Meanwhile, Verma takes charge as Kolkata's police commissioner.

Controversies and Challenges

During his tenure as West Bengal ADG (law and order), Verma faced criticism for labeling the Nabanna Abhijan rally "illegal" and accusing it of inciting unrest. He prioritised public safety over protests that lacked necessary permissions, especially concerning students taking NTA exams.