Deven Bharti Appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner

The Maharashtra government has appointed Deven Bharti, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, as the new Commissioner of Mumbai Police. Bharti, currently serving as the Special Commissioner of Mumbai Police, is set to take over the position from Vivek Phansalkar, who retired after a distinguished 35-year career in the force.​

Career Overview
Bharti hails from Darbhanga, Bihar, and completed his schooling in Jharkhand. He earned a master’s degree from the Delhi School of Economics before joining the IPS in 1994. Throughout his career, Bharti has held several significant positions within the Mumbai Police, including:​

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone 7 (Bandra to Andheri)

DCP, Crime Branch

Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order)

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Maharashtra

Head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)​

Notably, Bharti played a pivotal role in the investigation of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and was instrumental in dismantling the Indian Mujahideen network in the state. ​

Appointment Details
In a strategic move, the Maharashtra government created the position of Special Commissioner of Police for Mumbai, a role Bharti assumed in January 2023. This new post, modeled after similar positions in cities like Delhi, was established to streamline the functioning of the Mumbai Police Commissionerate and assist the Commissioner in managing the city’s law and order effectively. ​

Bharti’s appointment to the Commissioner role comes at a time when the post has been downgraded to the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), a move that has sparked discussions about administrative restructuring within the state police force. ​

Future Outlook
With a tenure extending until his retirement in 2028, Bharti’s leadership is expected to focus on modernizing the Mumbai Police, enhancing community engagement, and addressing emerging challenges in urban policing. His extensive experience and established rapport within the force position him to navigate the complexities of law enforcement in one of India’s most dynamic cities.​

As Mumbai continues to grow and evolve, the appointment of Deven Bharti as Police Commissioner marks a significant step in the city’s commitment to maintaining safety and security through experienced and forward-thinking leadership.