Ashish Bhatia is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1985 batch, Gujarat cadre, best known for serving as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Gujarat, a post he held from 2020 until his retirement in 2023, and for his earlier tenure as Police Commissioner of Ahmedabad.
Known for his soft-spoken yet firm approach to policing and his deep interest in criminal investigation, Bhatia built a distinguished four-decade career marked by his handling of major cases including the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts.
Profile
| Full Name | Ashish Bhatia |
| Born | May 10, 1962 |
| Age | 64 years old |
| Birthplace | Punjab, India (raised in Chandigarh) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Retired Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer |
| Parents | Father, Satyapal Bhatia (also in civil services) |
| Siblings | Elder brother, Sanjay Bhatia |
| Education | B.Sc. (Mechanical Engineering), Punjab Engineering College |
| Cadre | Gujarat, IPS Batch 1985 |
Early Life
Ashish Bhatia was born in Punjab but grew up primarily in Chandigarh.
His father, Satyapal Bhatia, was also in civil services and served as an inspiration for both Ashish and his elder brother, Sanjay, to pursue careers in the civil services themselves.
Bhatia has described his upbringing as one steeped in the values of public service, shaped significantly by his father’s own career.
Education
Ashish Bhatia pursued his engineering education at Punjab Engineering College, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Following his studies, he briefly worked at a firm in Pinjore before taking up a position with Mumbai Central Railways for about a year.
He then cleared the Indian Police Service (IPS) examination in 1984 and was allotted to the Gujarat cadre as part of the 1985 batch, officially joining the service on December 23, 1985.
Career
Ashish Bhatia has served Gujarat for over three decades, based in the state since 1986. Over his career, he handled some of the most significant criminal investigations in the state’s recent history, including the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts, which he has described as among the toughest cases of his career.
He steadily rose through the ranks of the Gujarat Police, eventually being appointed Police Commissioner of Ahmedabad in 2019, a role in which he oversaw law enforcement for one of India’s largest cities.
In July 2020, Bhatia was appointed Director General of Police (DGP) of Gujarat, succeeding Shivanand Jha, and went on to lead a force of over 1.2 lakh police personnel across the state.
He was originally scheduled to retire on May 31, 2022, but the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved an eight-month extension of his service as DGP in a special case deemed to be in the public interest, allowing him to continue in the role through the state’s December 2022 assembly elections.
His tenure was further extended by two additional months, and he ultimately retired from the Indian Police Service on January 31, 2023, having spent 41 years in service, with IPS officer Vikas Sahay of the 1989 batch taking over as in-charge DGP following his retirement.
Awards & Nominations
- President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2011)
Social Media
Ashish Bhatia’s public activities as Gujarat’s DGP were primarily documented through official Gujarat Police communications and extensive coverage in regional media outlets such as DeshGujarat and Vibes of India, rather than through a prominent personal social media presence.
Personal Life
Ashish Bhatia has described himself as a man of few words, known among colleagues for his professionalism, dignity, and sensitivity in handling responsibilities.
Though born in Punjab and raised in Chandigarh, he has spoken publicly about considering Gujarat, where he served for over two decades, to be his true home, stating his intention to continue living in Gandhinagar even after retirement.
During his tenure as DGP, he also dealt with a bout of COVID-19 in 2021, during which additional charge of his post was temporarily handed to fellow 1985-batch officer T.S. Bist.
Net Worth
As a retired senior IPS officer who held the top police post in Gujarat, Ashish Bhatia’s income was derived from his government salary, pension, and associated allowances under the Indian Police Service pay structure.
Specific net worth figures have not been publicly disclosed.
Career Postings
- Investigating officer, 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case
- Police Commissioner, Ahmedabad (2019–2020)
- Director General of Police (DGP), Gujarat (July 2020 – January 31, 2023)
Conclusion
Over a career spanning 41 years, Ashish Bhatia rose from a mechanical engineering graduate to become one of Gujarat’s most respected police leaders, culminating in his tenure as the state’s Director General of Police.
His steady, low-key leadership style, deep investigative experience, and long-standing commitment to Gujarat have left a lasting mark on the state’s police force even after his retirement in 2023.