SPG chief Arun Kumar Sinha passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer, at a Gurugram hospital. Sinha was a 1987 batch Kerala cadre IPS Officer who was recently given an extension in service. Four years ago, he had left Kerala on central deputation and was attached to the Special Protection Group and even when he superannuated in May this year, he was given an extension as the head of it.
It was when he was holding the post of Additional director general of police he went on central deputation and later was posted into the SPG and passed away while heading it. His superior and now-retired State Police chief Jacob Punnoose recalled Sinha as one who brought in numerous initiatives in the Kerala Police without taking any credit, as reported by news agency IANS. Sinha, who hailed from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, is survived by his wife and two sons.
Sinha has previously served as DCP Commissioner, Range IG, Intelligence IG and Administration IG in Thiruvananthapuram. The Special Protection Group (SPG) was raised in 1985 with the intention to provide proximate security cover to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members. Later, their mandate was amended and they now only provide security cover to the prime minister of the day.
The SPG is an elite force that provides protection to the Prime Minister, former PMs, and their immediate family members. The SPG is highly trained in physical efficiency and proximate protection tactics and is assisted by all central and state agencies to ensure foolproof security.