Bhubaneswar: Arup Patnaik, former Mumbai police commissioner, joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal, here on Wednesday.
Patnaik, a 1997 batch IPS officer, who retired from service on September, 2015, joined the part in a small ceremony held at Naveen Niwas in the presence of BJD supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

After joining BJD, Arup Patnaik said, ” I thank CM Naveen Patnaik for providing me an opportunity to work for the people of my land.”

Naveen Patnaik said, “Arup Patnaik will prove to be a valuable asset for the party.”

Arup Patnaik, who is the only Odia IPS officer to hold the post of Police Commissioner of Mumbai Police, is the recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2003 and the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 1994.

A recipient of the Director General of Police’s Insignia for his contribution in the investigation of 1993 Mumbai blast, Patnaik distinguished himself by his effective handling of the Mumbai riots in his jurisdiction in 1992-93.

Born on September 8, 1955 in Bhubaneswar, he attended Mayo College in Ajmer. Prior to joining the Indian Police Service in 1979, he had worked with the State Bank of India for a period of approximately two years.