Questions raised over the increase in the number of officers in the Uttarakhand Police from 2001 to 2025; detailed information sought through RTI in the public interest
Dehradun: Questions have once again been raised regarding the increase in the number of senior and middle-level officers in the police department since the formation of Uttarakhand state. Social activist and concerned citizen Bhupendra Kumar Lakshmi has sought detailed information from the Police Headquarters, Uttarakhand, under the Right to Information Act, in the public interest.
An application was sent to the Public Information Officer, Police Headquarters, Uttarakhand, Dehradun, on December 2, 2025. The application seeks details of the number of officers deployed in the police department from 2001 (the initial period of state formation) to December 2025, along with the percentage increase, supported by departmental certificates.
The RTI application specifically seeks year-wise information on the number of officers and the increase in their numbers in the IPS, PPS, Circle Officer (CO), Inspector, and Sub-Inspector cadres.
It is essential that information on how the structure of the police force has changed in proportion to the population, crime rate, and administrative requirements since the formation of the state be made public.
Since the information was not provided within the stipulated 30-day timeframe, a first appeal has been filed in this matter at the departmental Police Headquarters, Uttarakhand, on January 2, 2026, and further legal proceedings will also be initiated.
This case is considered important because the number of officers in the police department and their ratio are directly related to law and order, administrative efficiency, and public safety. It remains to be seen how transparently the Police Headquarters will make this information of public interest available.
