With Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan making a case for continuity post 26/11, the Home Ministry seems inclined to give a three month extension to state Director General of Police SS Virk. The controversial 1970 batch IPS officer is retiring at the end of this month.

Government sources told ‘The Indian Express’ that State Chief Minister Chavan has written a letter to Home Minister P. Chidambaram this week asking for a three month extension for Virk citing the need for continuity in the on-going revamp of the state police establishment. However, Union Home Minister Chidambaram is still to take a decision on the file even though there are indicators that Virk may continue in his present job till October 2009 as Chavan is actively perusing the matter.

While Ashok Chavan has recommended for Virk’s extension as state DGP, the Home Ministry is still waiting for the vigilance clearance or integrity certificate of the officer from the state Home Department, as it is a mandatory requirement. It is understood that the state Home Department will send the letter to Union Home Secretary on Friday evening but will cite the cases lodged against Virk by the Punjab Government. The state DGP has two cases—one pertaining to land grabbing and the other pertaining to disproportionate assets—registered against him at Kharar police station in Punjab and the officer has also been charge-sheeted in these cases. His next date of hearing in court is on August 1. The officer was removed from the post of Punjab DGP by Election Commission during 2007 state assembly elections.

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