No clarity on his successor yet, Bengal DGP Kumar gets farewell
Times of India | 30 January 2026
Kolkata: Courage is not always about action or shooting at or beating up people, it's about standing firm, DGP Rajeev Kumar said during his farewell on Thursday, two days before his superannuation. Bengal govt has not named Kumar's successor yet.
Kumar insisted that it was important to follow one's conscience as much as the law. "What people say on social media or on television does not matter. Our work is the final word. My conscience will tell me whether I am right or wrong. True courage speaks from within," he said. "People love to criticise. But do not get distracted," the DGP added.
Bengal govt named Kumar in the panel of eight IPS officers it sent to UPSC as per a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order. But UPSC did not trim the list to three, as asked by CAT, choosing instead to move Delhi HC, pushing the appointment of Bengal's next DGP into uncertainty. In the backdrop of this legal imbroglio, Kumar attended the farewell ceremony. He was given the guard of honour by three units of Bengal Police.
Lauding his colleagues repeatedly, Kumar said: "Our state is very important strategically and geopolitically. We share our borders with three nations — Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. The problems affecting these countries often get felt here. If something happens in the Northeast, it affects our state."
Reminding that Bengal Police effectively tackled Naxalism, he said: "We are the only police force that tackled Naxal challenge twice. This was not overcome without sacrifice. More than 250 people gave their lives. I am especially referring to the second time (that we dealt with the challenge)."
Kumar went on to said: "We are a civil service alongside the armed forces, whom society believes are ready to sacrifice our lives in the line of duty. We must be proud of that."
The DGP reminded that the force also excelled in maintaining law and order, especially crowd control. "The level of law and order that we maintain during festivals — whether during Durga Puja or Gangasagar, where so many people gather — is worth mentioning. People lost their lives elsewhere. But it was the state's heritage and pride that we oversaw all these arrangements without the loss of lives. We prevailed," he said.
Kumar reminded that every officer, down to the constable, counted and put in the same effort. "You are one of the best police forces in the country. That is not just words. Every officer, the lowest-ranked constable, civic volunteers, home guards, all play their respective roles. Their role is as important as any senior officer. Our strength lies in being together. Separately, we are no one. We are together in both Bengal Police and Kolkata Police," he added.
The DGP ended his speech by emphasising the role of the family and friends of cops, using himself as an example.