Ram Prawesh Thakur (IPS:1986:AP) was on Saturday appointed as Director General of Police of Andhra Pradesh. He has succeeded M Malakondaiah, who retired from service on attaining the age of superannuation today. Thakur was earlier Director General of Anti-Corruption Bureau(ACB). Chief Secretary (in-charge) Anil Chandra Punetha issued an order this morning, appointing Thakur as DGP, thereby, putting an end to speculation that another officer of the 1986 batch Gautam Damodar Sawang was set to become the police chief. A four-member selection panel, headed by the Chief Secretary, shortlisted five DG-rank officers for the post of the DGP in accordance with the amended AP Police Reforms Act that vested the power with the state government to choose the DGP. As such, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu selected Thakur, overlooking the 1986 batch topper Varun Sindhu Kul Kaumudi.