DGP-rank officer and one of the senior-most IPS officers of the Punjab cadre, Harpreet Singh Sidhu, a 1992-batch officer, has created a unique record in the bureaucratic circles of Punjab by remaining without a posting for 334 days, or 11 months. He has surpassed the previous records of Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, IAS, who remained without a posting for around 320 days, and Naunihal Singh, IPS, who remained without a posting for approximately 300 days.
Earlier, former IAS officer Ajoy Sinha had created history in Punjab’s bureaucratic circles by retiring without a posting. He remained without a posting for around four months and ultimately retired without holding any official position.
In police circles, another IPS officer, Gurmit Singh Chauhan, a recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, has also remained without a posting for months on different occasions. He is presently without a posting as well and has been in the situation for the past several months.
At present IPS officers Harpreet Singh Sidhu, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Gurmit Singh Chauhan along with three PPS officers Manmohan Kumar, Gurjot Singh Kaler, Simarnjit Singh are without postings
Sidhu Opted for Central Deputation
Sidhu was posted as Special DGP, Special Task Force (STF), and Prisons when he opted for central deputation following the appointment of Gaurav Yadav, IPS, also a 1992-batch officer, as officiating DGP of Punjab Police on July 4, 2022. He was subsequently appointed ADGP, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), on October 20, 2022.
On September 22, 2025, Sidhu was prematurely repatriated to Punjab at his request. Otherwise, he would have continued on central deputation until October 2026, completing his four-year tenure. Following his repatriation, speculation was rife that he would be appointed the regular DGP of Punjab. However, even after his return to the state, he has remained without a posting for nearly 11 months.
Gaurav Yadav has continued as officiating DGP since June 2022, after the then regular DGP was asked to proceed on leave in the aftermath of the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
Both Gaurav Yadav and Harpreet Singh Sidhu belong to the 1992 batch of the Punjab cadre. According to the seniority list, Sidhu is senior to Yadav.
Sidhu Among Three in UPSC Panel
Sidhu was also included in the UPSC-approved panel for the appointment of the regular Punjab Police chief.
The suspense over the appointment of a regular Punjab Police chief continues, as the state government is yet to announce the name of the new incumbent despite receiving the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)-approved panel of three eligible officers from the 1992 batch. The panel comprises officiating DGP Gaurav Yadav, Chief Director of the Vigilance Bureau Sharad Satya Chauhan, and Special DGP Harpreet Singh Sidhu, who has remained without a posting since his repatriation from central deputation.
Sidhu had earlier served on deputation with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), where he commanded units engaged in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh. He later joined the state anti-drug force following his premature repatriation from central deputation, which was otherwise scheduled to end in June 2018.
A 1992-batch Punjab cadre IPS officer, Sidhu holds an MA in Public Administration, an LL.B., an M.Phil. in Police Administration, a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights Law, and an LL.M. He is scheduled to retire on May 31, 2027.
