Gopal Sharma, Jammu and Kashmir [Images] director general of police is likely to be the next Delhi Police Commissioner according to highly reliable sources.

Sharma, an IPS officer of 1972 batch belongs to the Jammu and Kashmir cadre of the IPS.

He is the longest serving police chief of the state. He was elevated to the rank of the DGP in Jammu and Kashmir in 2003 and has served as the director general of Jammu and Kashmir police for more than four years.

While sources said Sharma's name had been cleared for the top slot as the Commissioner of the Delhi police by the union home ministry, the state government would have to consent to his deputation to the centre before he is relieved of his present assignment.

Three senior local police officers - Kuldeep Khuda and P S Gill of 1974 batch and Ashok Bhan of 1976 batch are in the race for the top police post in the state unless the government decides to bring in an officer from outside the state as the new DGP.

Among the local IPS officers, however, Khuda is considered to be the favourite for the DGP's post. He is presently the additional director general of state CID.