Sandeep Patil takes charge as Belagavi Northern Range IGP

Belagavi: Senior IPS officer Sandeep Patil (in pic, right) on Thursday assumed charge as Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Belagavi Northern Range. Outgoing IGP Dr Chetan Singh Rathore formally handed over charge at a brief function held at the IGP’s office.

Soon after taking charge, Patil held meetings with senior officers to review law and order, crime control measures, border security and progress in major cases. He had earlier served as superintendent of police in Belagavi in the early 2010s and is known for his firm yet people-friendly policing style.

The Belagavi Northern Range, comprising Belagavi, Dharwad, Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Gadag districts, shares borders with Maharashtra and Goa and is considered one of the state’s most sensitive regions.

The zone frequently faces challenges such as inter-state crimes, narcotics trafficking, highway offences, illegal mining transport, cyber fraud, protests and law and order duties during major events.

Officials said Patil’s appointment is expected to strengthen policing, intelligence coordination and overall security management in the strategically significant border zone.