Name: Pushpanjali Devi
Cadre: Manipur cadre (Joint Manipur-Tripura cadre) (Project Your State)
Batch: 2006 (www.ndtv.com)
Current / Recent Posting: DIG (Railways) and empanelled to hold Inspector General or IG-equivalent posts in the Government of India. (www.ndtv.com)
Early Career and Progression
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After being selected in the 2006 batch of the Indian Police Service, Pushpanjali Devi was assigned to the Joint Manipur-Tripura cadre. (Project Your State)
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Over time, she has held various policing and administrative posts, with increasing responsibility. One of her important roles was serving as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh, between parts of 2017-2018. (www.ndtv.com)
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As SP Unnao, she succeeded Neha Pandey and continued in the role until April 30, 2018. (Firstpost)
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Later, she served in the capacity of DIG (Railways). (www.ndtv.com)
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As of January 2025, she has been empanelled for IG-level or equivalent positions in the Government of India. (Project Your State)
Key Events & Controversies
While her career has several postings, the public record has spotlighted some controversies or allegations, notably around the Unnao rape case. Here are the major issues:
Unnao Rape Case / CBI Lapses
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The case involves a minor girl who was raped in 2017 by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. The case triggered a national outcry. (www.ndtv.com)
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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) examined handling of the case — particularly how police and administrative officials responded (or failed to respond) to complaints. (www.ndtv.com)
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Pushpanjali Devi, among others, was named in the CBI report. The allegations against her include that during her tenure as SP Unnao, she “did not pay any heed to prayers of the victim” after the complaint, including when the victim’s father allegedly was framed under an arms act case and died in jail in April 2018. (www.ndtv.com)
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The CBI recommended “appropriate action” for several officials (including Pushpanjali Devi) but did not itself initiate disciplinary proceedings; such action is left to the Uttar Pradesh Government based on the findings. (Vartha Bharathi)
Transfer from Unnao SP Post
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In April 2018, Pushpanjali Devi was among 36 IPS officers transferred by the Yogi Adityanath government in UP. Her post as SP Unnao was among those changed. She was “attached to the office of the UP DGP” after the transfer. (The New Indian Express)
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This transfer took place amidst the controversy and widespread public scrutiny of how the police responded to the Unnao rape complaint. (The New Indian Express)
Current Status & Recognition
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Pushpanjali Devi has been empanelled as IG or IG-equivalent in the Government of India as of early 2025. This is a recognition of her seniority and competence to hold high-rank posts. (Project Your State)
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Her current assignments (or recent ones) include roles in railways policing. The precise jurisdiction or region (railways zone) has been referred to in sources. (www.ndtv.com)
Criticisms & Responses
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The criticism mainly revolves around lapses in responding to complaints by victims in the Unnao case. The CBI flagged that despite complaints, action was delayed or were insufficient, perhaps due to administrative inertia or ignoring pleas. (www.ndtv.com)
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There’s no public record (in the sources I found up to 2025) that Pushpanjali Devi has been formally punished; the CBI’s role has been to recommend, leaving disciplinary action to the state government. (Vartha Bharathi)
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Some transfers are seen in media as being politically sensitive — e.g. the transfer from Unnao while the rape case was under public pressure. Whether those transfers were punitive, preventive, or standard administrative practice is part of public speculation. (Hindustan Times)
Strengths, Achievements & Professional Reputation
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Being a 2006 batch IPS officer, getting empanelled for IG-level shows she has maintained sufficient seniority and experience. Oversight responsibility in railways policing and major districts indicates trust from the administration.
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Despite controversies, continuing to hold high responsibilities suggests that either inquiries did not lead to disqualifying findings, or her administrative record in other aspects has balanced the negative publicity.
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Also, her postings in sensitive and high-visibility roles reflect that she is considered capable in law enforcement and public order management.
Personal & Public Perception
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Public perception is mixed, especially because of the Unnao case. For many, the failure to act on victim complaints is seen as serious. For others, there is empathy that police often face resource, information, and constraint issues.
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There is less public domain information on her early life, education, family background—so much of her personal life remains away from media spotlight.
Interesting / Noteworthy Facts
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Cadre connection: Although she has worked significantly in Uttar Pradesh, she belongs to the joint Manipur-Tripura cadre. That means while her cadre posting may be northeast, she has been entrusted with central/states roles in UP, likely on deputation or inter-cadre arrangement. (Project Your State)
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Empanelment as IG: Getting empanelled for IG or equivalent posts is a significant marker in IPS hierarchy. It means eligibility to hold higher posts often associated with more power, larger jurisdictions. (Project Your State)
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Timing of transfer from Unnao: Her transfer from Unnao SP happened in April 2018, just ahead of several public hearings and controversies around how police handled survivor complaints. That timing has been noted in media reports. (The New Indian Express)
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Multiple complaint handling: Besides the Unnao case, her administrative roles involve handling law & order, railway policing, which comes with complex challenges—coordination across jurisdiction boundaries, dealing with local political pressures, etc.
FAQs about Pushpanjali Devi, IPS
Here are some frequently asked questions (and answers based on currently available info):
| Question | Answer |
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| Is Pushpanjali Devi from Uttar Pradesh cadre? | No; she belongs to the 2006 batch of IPS officers of the Joint Manipur-Tripura cadre. Although she has been posted in UP in various capacities (such as SP Unnao), her cadre is Manipur. (Project Your State) |
| What was her role in the Unnao rape case? | She was SP Unnao during part of the period when complaints by a minor victim were made. The CBI found lapses in how the police responded under her charge—alleging that the victim’s pleas were not adequately addressed, and delaying or insufficient response. (www.ndtv.com) |
| Has she been formally charged or punished? | Up to the latest sources (early 2025), the CBI has only recommended “appropriate action” but has not initiated disciplinary proceedings itself. Whether the UP Government has taken action has not been clearly reported in public domain documents I found. (Vartha Bharathi) |
| What is her current rank / position? | She is DIG (Railways) and has been empanelled for IG / equivalent positions in Government of India. (Project Your State) |
| Is her transfer from Unnao SP related to controversy? | The transfer came amid the growing scrutiny of the Unnao rape case, but whether it was directly because of the controversy is not explicitly confirmed. Media reports imply there is linkage in public perception. (Hindustan Times) |
| What is known about her early life or education? | Very little. Public sources do not clearly detail her birthplace, family, or schooling. The focus has mostly been on her IPS career and postings. |
Summary / Analysis
Pushpanjali Devi, IPS, is a senior and well-placed police officer whose career spans several key law enforcement roles in Uttar Pradesh and central services (railways, etc.), despite being from the Manipur cadre. As a 2006 batch IPS officer, her rise to DIG-railways and IG‐eligible status reflects significant experience. However, her role as SP Unnao during the handling of the Unnao rape case has brought controversy, with the Central Bureau of Investigation citing her among those whose responses to the victim’s complaints were found wanting. Transfers, departmental recommendations, and public scrutiny are central in her story. As with many officers in sensitive positions, her reputation depends as much on administrative effectiveness, adherence to procedure, and public perception as on legal or formal findings.
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