Deven Bharti Appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner As Vivek Phansalkar Retires

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday appointed senior IPS officer Deven Bharti as the new Commissioner of Police for Mumbai.

He further assumed charge immediately after the retirement of incumbent commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, who concluded his service the same day.

Bharti, who has served as Special Police Commissioner since 2023, brings decades of experience in handling law and order in the city.

Several names of high-ranking officers—including Sadanand Date, Sanjay Varma, and Archana Tyagi—circulated as potential candidates for the prestigious Mumbai CP post.

However, the state government finalised Bharti’s appointment, reflecting its confidence in his operational acumen and leadership record.

A Career Rooted In Critical Policing Roles

A 1994-batch IPS officer, Bharti has held numerous key positions within the Mumbai police.

His career includes an extensive tenure as Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) and Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch).

He also headed the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), where he played a crucial role in some of the state’s most significant investigations.

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Notably, Bharti investigated the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and the high-profile murder of journalist J Dey.

He also led major crackdowns on the Indian Mujahideen, weakening the terror outfit’s presence in Maharashtra.

Originally from Bihar, Bharti holds a postgraduate degree from the Delhi School of Economics.

His academic foundation, paired with decades of field experience, has shaped him into one of Maharashtra’s most respected law enforcement officers.

Transition Marks A New Phase In City Policing

As he takes the helm of the Mumbai Police, Bharti is expected to bring continuity and stability to the force.

With the city facing complex security challenges, his experience in anti-terror operations and crime control positions him well to lead one of India’s most prominent police forces.