Lucknow, Jul 2 : Mr Mukul Goel, an IPS officer of 1987 batch of UP cadre Today took the charge of the Director General of Police(DGP) of Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Goel , who was on central deputation as Additional DG of the Border Security Force (BSF) Operations in Delhi was relieved yesterday from his central deputation. The new DGP reached Lucknow from New Delhi this morning.

ADG (L&O) Prasant Kumar , who was handed over the charge by the outgoing DGP H C Awasthi on June 30, gave Mr Mukul Goel the DGP charge.

Before taking the charge Mr Goel prayed at the Hanuman temple and went to Lok Bhawan to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He was also given the guard of honour.

Later, he reached the Police headquarters to take the charge and address the media.

The new DGP said his priority will be to control crime and to improve the policing quality.

“Every citizen of the state should feel safe and every police personnel has the responsibility to take care of every individual,” he stated.

But he also made it clear that criminals and anti-social elements would not be spared at any cost. ” We have to improve the relationship between police and common people,’ he said.

He also sought cooperation from the people.

Mr Goel will get the opportunity to hold the coming 2022 Assembly polls in the state.

Holding a B Tech degree in Electrical Engineering from the Delhi IIT, along with MBA, Mr Goel has served in the UP Police in various capacities.

Born in Muzaffarnagar, he is also a recipient of the Police Medal for Gallantry (2003), Police Medal for Meritorious Services (2003) and the President Police Medal for distinguished services (2012).

He was posted as ADG Law and Order during the Samajwadi Party’s regime from September 2013 to May 2015.He was made ADG (L&O) in the Akhilesh Yadav regime after the infamous Muzaffarnagar riots started in August 27, 2013 in which over 60 people were killed and over 50,000 rendered homeless.

Earlier, the UPSC had sent the names of Nasir Kamal (1986 batch) , Mukul Goel and RP Singh’s (both 1987 batch) names to select one of them for the top UP cop’s post. Sujan Veer Singh was also an IPS officer of 1986 batch but his name was not included as he will retire in August this year.

Interestingly after meeting of Mukul Goel with chief minister on Tuesday last, his name was taken as the front runner.(UNI)