IPS officer Jayant Vaishnav has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police (SP) for the security of the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, following the transfer of the incumbent, Harish Rathore, to Korea district. The appointment, effective on a temporary basis until further orders, was formalised through an official order issued by Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Dev Gautam on 16 July.

The Appointment and Its Background

Vaishnav was previously serving as Superintendent of Police (Security), Special Branch, at the Police Headquarters in Raipur, where he handled security-related responsibilities. He has now been entrusted with the additional charge of SP, Chief Minister's Security — one of the most sensitive policing assignments in the state.

The vacancy arose after the Chhattisgarh government's Home (Police) Department issued an order on 10 July transferring Harish Rathore, who had been serving as SP for the Chief Minister's security, to the post of Superintendent of Police, Korea district. Rathore's transfer left the critical post without a permanent incumbent, prompting the police headquarters to act swiftly.

What the Official Order States

The order signed by DGP Arun Dev Gautam notes that, in view of Rathore's transfer, Vaishnav has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the Chief Minister's security arrangements until further instructions are issued. The order has been circulated to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, the Principal Secretary of the Home Department, senior police officers, the Raipur Police Commissioner, all Range Inspectors General of Police, all Superintendents of Police in the state, and other concerned officials for information and necessary action.

Ensuring Continuity in Security Arrangements

The administrative reshuffle underscores the importance the state places on uninterrupted security coverage for the Chief Minister. By assigning the role to Vaishnav on an additional-charge basis, the police headquarters has ensured there is no gap in the security apparatus while a permanent appointment is worked out.

Notably, this kind of interim arrangement — assigning additional charge to a serving officer at the same headquarters — is a standard administrative practice in state police services when sensitive posts fall vacant at short notice. The move ensures operational continuity without the delays associated with a fresh posting cycle.

What Happens Next

Vaishnav's appointment is explicitly described as temporary, suggesting a permanent incumbent could be designated once the state government and police headquarters complete their review. Until then, he will manage both his existing responsibilities in the Special Branch and the Chief Minister's security detail from Raipur.