Shivdeep Lande

Shivdeep Lande, the 2006-batch IPS officer, was appointed as Patna superintendent of police on Friday even as crime continues to touch new heights in the city.

On November 22, 2011, he was transferred while serving as city SP (central). Sources, at that time, had claimed that his continuous raids on factories and high-end shops allegedly selling fake items had got him into trouble ending his 10-month stint in Patna.

The state government, too, had come under criticism after his transfer. The city had seen protest marches and rallies. He was transferred as SP Araria, located around 400km northeast of Patna.

On March 30, 2013, the officer was made the ADC (aide-de-camp) to Governor D.Y. Patil. Apart from Lande, the state government also reinstated Shalin, a 2001 batch IPS as the SP of the Anti Terrorism Squad. The officer was on central deputation earlier.

Rajendra Prasad, who was earlier serving as commandant of BMP-12, was made commandant of the fourth battalion of BMP. Lallan Mohan Prasad was also transferred as commandant of BMP-6 to BMP’s 15th battalion in Bagaha. Meenu Kumari, a 2010 batch IPS, has been transferred from Katihar to Saharsa as commandant of BMP-12.

“Lande, as Patna city SP was colourful and controversial. He created an impact, as eve teasers and criminals feared him. But he was also known for his defiance. Differences between him and then SSP Alok Kumar was out in the open,” said a source.

He added: “Later, two more IPS officers — Kim and Upendra Sharma — were made Patna city SP (east and west) with Lande given the charge of SP (central), which consisted of a maximum of six to seven police stations. However, before he was transferred, Lande had conducted two raids. One was at the 9to9 Supermarket at Bandar Bagicha and the other at a medicine manufacturing factory at Rajiv Nagar. He was transferred on the day of the latter raid. It was said he had ruffled some wrong feathers.”

“Three years back, he was the Patna city SP. Now, he has been made the city SP yet again. Officers junior to him are SPs of independent districts. He should have been given the charge of an independent district,” another officer said.

However, a section of officers believe Lande’s return would have a positive impact. “Lande was feared by criminals. With crime on rise, his arrival can only help the department,” the officer added.