The Centre has granted Ashish Bhatia, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and Gujarat Director General of Police, an eight-month extension in his service beyond his superannuation date at the end of this month.

The Cabinet Appointments Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reached the decision on Friday after receiving proposals from the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 24.

“As a particular circumstance in public interest,” the judgement was made “in relaxation of Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death cum Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.”

After incumbent Shivanand Jha’s term ended, Ahmedabad police commissioner Ashish Bhatia was appointed to the post of Gujarat DGP in July 2020.