K'taka govt appoints MA Saleem as acting DG & IGP

IANS May 22, 2025 228 views

MA Saleem, a seasoned 1993-batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the acting Director General and Inspector General of Police in Karnataka. With an impressive track record of handling complex investigations and significant contributions to law enforcement technology, Saleem brings extensive experience to this critical leadership role. He has previously led high-profile Special Investigation Teams and received multiple national awards for distinguished service. Saleem is expected to be confirmed as the full-time state police chief within two months.

"Establishing support systems for vulnerable populations is crucial" - MA Saleem (Implied)
Bengaluru, May 21: Karnataka government has appointed senior IPS officer M. A. Saleem as the acting Director General (DG) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) on Wednesday.

Key Points

1

Senior IPS officer with distinguished 30-year career takes interim police leadership

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Headed critical investigations including IMA fraud and cryptocurrency cases

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Recipient of multiple national police service awards

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Known for technological innovations in law enforcement

Saleem is serving as the Director General of Police (DGP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Units and Economic Offences, Bengaluru. A government order said that Saleem is placed in concurrent charge of the post of the Head of the Police Forces of Karnataka State from the afternoon of May 21 until further orders. Alok Mohan, the Director General and Inspector General of Police, has retired from the service on May 21. Saleem is expected to be confirmed as the full-time state police chief after two months.

Saleem, a 1993 batch IPS officer, has served in various key positions across the state. He has served as the Superintendent of Police in Udupi and Hassan, and the Inspector General of Police of the Eastern Range. Saleem has also served as the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and as the DGP of the CID. He has also monitored the high-profile cases of the state.

His notable contributions include establishing helplines and support systems for women, children, and the elderly, the inception of the Garuda Police Patrol, the development of a Special Action Force in various districts, and significant advancements in traffic enforcement technology. Apart from traffic management, investigation of criminal cases has been a passion for Saleem. He has supervised important Special Investigation Teams formed to investigate sensational and grave criminal cases.

He headed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate IMA fraud cases in which 74,000 people were cheated. He also headed the Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to investigate multi-crore cryptocurrency hacking cases; Hassan multi-sexual harassment cases; misappropriation of Rs 94 crores at Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited; Police Sub-Inspector Recruitment Scam; and sexual harassment and extortion against an MLA.

Saleem was conferred with the President’s Police Medal for distinguished services in 2017, the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 2009, the National Award for e-Governance for exemplary usage of ICT by the Government of India, a commendation disk by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in 2021. He was also conferred with the prestigious IRTE Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for his immense contribution to promoting road safety.

Reader Comments

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Rahul K.
Good decision by the Karnataka government! Mr. Saleem has an impressive track record, especially in handling complex cases like IMA fraud and cryptocurrency hacking. His work on women's safety initiatives is commendable too. Hope he brings the same efficiency as acting DG & IGP. 👍
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Priya M.
While Mr. Saleem's credentials are strong, I hope this isn't just another temporary arrangement that gets extended indefinitely. Karnataka police needs stable leadership, especially with rising cyber crimes. They should confirm the appointment soon rather than keeping it 'acting' for months.
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Suresh V.
His work on road safety and traffic management in Bengaluru was much needed. The city's traffic is chaotic but I've noticed some improvement in enforcement. Hope he can scale these initiatives statewide now. Also curious to see how he handles political pressures in this new role.
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Ananya R.
The list of awards and achievements is impressive, but what matters most is how he performs in this crucial role. Karnataka needs a police chief who can be tough on crime while ensuring officers behave professionally with common citizens. Fingers crossed! 🤞
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Vikram J.
His handling of the IMA scam shows he doesn't shy away from high-profile cases. But the real test will be maintaining law and order impartially across the state. Hope he focuses on rural policing too, not just Bengaluru-centric reforms.
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Neha P.
As someone from Hassan district, I remember his tenure as SP there - he was strict but fair. Good to see capable officers getting recognition. Hope he brings the same dedication to this role. The police force needs more tech-savvy leaders like him in today's digital age.

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Tags:
Karnataka Police MA Saleem IPS Officer Police Leadership Bengaluru Criminal Investigation