New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from six states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and UP, on a plea alleging non-compliance with its directives over the appointment of directors general of police.
According to a fresh plea, seven states, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, did not allegedly comply with the 2006 judgement of the apex court in the Praksah Singh case and the subsequent directions on appointment of directors general of police (DGP).
The Jharkhand government filed its reply in the top court previously. The matter was brought to the attention of a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar through a plea filed by Jan Sewa Trust, alleging widespread violations of court-mandated procedures.
These include the stipulation of a two-year fixed tenure for DGPs and their selection from a panel of the three most senior and eligible IPS officers prepared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The bench directed the states to submit their written responses within six weeks, allowing four weeks thereafter for rejoinders.
The court emphasised the importance of adhering to its landmark 2006 verdict in the Prakash Singh case, laying down guidelines for ensuring transparency and fairness in the appointment of police chiefs.
The top court instructed the UPSC to continue its role in preparing panels for DGP appointments and to file a status report 10 days before the next hearing, scheduled for March, 2025.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the trust, argued that states had blatantly disregarded the court’s directives.
He further referred to the rules of UP on appointment of DGP (Police), alleging it was in gross contravention to spirit and directions of the apex court’s orders.
He said UP should be restrained from using the rules in the DGP’s appointment and referred to violations by several states in such appointments.
It said the appointment of K Rajendranath Reddy as the acting DGP of Andhra Pradesh was made in February, 2022, despite him ranking 13th in the seniority list.
