Atul, a 1976 batch IPS officer, on Sunday took over as Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police replacing Brij Lal who was transferred on the directions of the Election Commission.
Soon after assuming charge, Atul said the most important task before the police department was to ensure free and fair election in the state.
"It has to be ensured that the election is free and fair, the law and order is maintained and all those participating in the poll process get a level-playing field," he told reporters here. "This is the biggest challenge before us," the new DGP said.
On Saturday. the Election Commission transferred Brij Lal and Principal Secretary (Home) Kunwar Fateh Bahadur after major opposition parties accused the two officers of working as agents of the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party. Brij Lal has been appointed DGP PAC.
Published 08 January 2012, 21:11 IST