Four days before he was to retire, the Centre on Monday extended the service of West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Siddh Nath Gupta by six months.Gupta was to retire on April 30.The Election Commission (EC) had appointed Gupta, an IPS officer of the 1992 batch, as the DG and IGP of the state on March 16, a day after removing incumbent Peeyush Pandey.The EC had said the decision to remove the officers was taken following a review of poll preparedness in the state.”The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for grant of extension in service of Siddh Nath Gupta, IPS (WB:1992), DG & IGP, West Bengal for a period of six months beyond April 30, 2026 in relaxation of Rule 16(1) of AIS (DCRB) Rules, 1958, in public interest,” the order issued on Monday said.The first phase of the assembly polls was held in the state on April 23, while the voting for the second and final phase will take place on April 29. The results will be declared on May 4.