Kolkata: Uncertainty has once again gripped the appointment of the next Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal, with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) moving the Delhi High Court on Tuesday. The UPSC has challenged an order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) that directed the commission to complete the DGP selection process within a fixed timeline, ending January 31, the day when acting DGP Rajeev Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer, is due to retire.
The move by the UPSC has introduced a fresh legal complication into an already delayed and contentious appointment process.
CAT Had Set Strict Timeline for DGP Selection
The CAT’s order came while hearing a petition filed by IPS officer Rajesh Kumar (IPS: 1990: WB). The tribunal had directed the West Bengal government to send a fresh list of eligible IPS officers to the UPSC by January 23.
The tribunal further instructed the UPSC to:
- Convene the empanelment committee meeting by January 28
- Prepare a panel of officers
- Forward the panel to the state government by January 29
This timeline was intended to ensure that West Bengal could appoint a new regular DGP by January 31, when the tenure of acting DGP Rajeev Kumar (IPS: 1989: WB) comes to an end.
State Government Sent List Promptly
Following the CAT’s directive, the West Bengal government acted swiftly and sent a revised list of eight IPS officers for empanelment to the UPSC, sources in the state home department confirmed. The list reportedly included acting DGP Rajeev Kumar as well.
However, instead of proceeding with the empanelment process as ordered, the UPSC moved the Delhi High Court soon after receiving the list, challenging the CAT’s directive.
Retirement Deadline Adds Urgency
Adding to the complexity, three DG-rank IPS officers – Rajeev Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, and Jag Mohan – are all scheduled to retire on January 31. Earlier reports had suggested that the state was poised to have a new DGP take charge from February 1, but the UPSC’s move to the High Court has now cast serious doubt on that timeline.
DGP Post Vacant for Over Two Years
The post of West Bengal DGP has been effectively vacant since December 28, 2023, when the previous incumbent demitted office. Since then, Rajeev Kumar has been serving as acting DGP for more than two years.
The delay has been attributed to the state government’s failure to initiate the appointment process in time, as mandated by the Supreme Court’s 2006 Prakash Singh judgment, which lays down strict guidelines for appointing police chiefs.
UPSC Earlier Returned State’s Proposal
According to the UPSC, the West Bengal government forwarded its proposal for DGP empanelment only in July 2025, nearly one and a half years after the vacancy arose. Citing this inordinate delay, the UPSC returned the proposal and advised the state government to seek further directions from the Supreme Court.
Despite this, the state government submitted a panel in July 2025 containing 10 IPS officers, including acting DGP Rajeev Kumar. The UPSC shortlisted three candidates, but the process stalled after Rajesh Kumar challenged the selection.
Rajesh Kumar’s Petition Triggered Fresh Process
Rajesh Kumar, who is currently serving as Principal Secretary in the Department of Mass Education Extension and Library Services, approached the CAT seeking inclusion of his name in the panel of three senior-most IPS officers eligible for appointment as DGP.
The tribunal’s order on his petition ultimately led to the direction for submission of a fresh list, reopening the entire empanelment process and setting the stage for the current legal battle.
Legal Uncertainty Continues
With the UPSC now seeking relief from the Delhi High Court, the future course of the DGP appointment remains uncertain. The case has once again highlighted the tug-of-war between constitutional bodies, judicial forums, and the state government over adherence to prescribed procedures and timelines.
