Even as Delhi government's home department issued a formal notification announcing the retirement of Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on July 31, 2025, the decision on extension in his service rests with Ministry of home affairs headed by home minister Amit Shah.
The Delhi government has sent the order, duly signed by Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena, to the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA), police headquarters, the directorate of vigilance, and other relevant departments.
“The notification is a routine administrative step typically issued two months ahead of the scheduled retirement of IAS and IPS officers. It doesn't put an end to chances of extension. N past also, many officers got extension despite such notifications in place. The power to appoint or extend the tenure of the Delhi Police chief lies solely with the MHA. Anything can happen till the end of July,” said a senior police officer.
Arora, a 1988 batch IPS of Tamil Nadu cadre, who took charge as Delhi's police commissioner on August 1, 2022, was the third officer from outside the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre to lead the city's police, after Ajay Raaj Sharma and Rakesh Asthana. During his tenure, he was known for a composed leadership style and no-nonsense approach to policing, steering the force through several high-profile law and order situations.
Before his appointment in Delhi, Arora served as the director general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and held key positions in Tamil Nadu and across various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). His leadership in anti-Naxal operations and efforts at strengthening inter-agency coordination were widely praised.
An engineering graduate, Arora was also part of the elite Special Protection Group (SPG), and had previously earned commendations for postings with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Sanjay Arora's younger brother is IAS in Rajasthan
Arora's younger brother Akhil Arora is serving as additional chief secretary finance with Rajasthan government. Like elder brother, Akhil Arora is also considered as efficient and bold officer. Akhil Arora's wife Aparna Arora is also an IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre serving as additional chief secretary forest and environment.
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