Ranchi— In a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the reappointment of Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta, the state Accountant General (AG) office has agreed to issue him a provisional pay slip, following a directive from the Jharkhand Home Department.
This move comes as the Jharkhand High Court continues to hear a legal challenge over Gupta’s post-retirement tenure extension, which has been opposed by the Centre but defended by the state government under new rules.
State Cites New Rules for Extension
In its letter to the AG’s office, the Home Department referenced the “Jharkhand Director General of Police and Inspector General (Chief of Police Force) Selection and Appointment Rules, 2025”, notified on January 8, 2025. Under these state-framed rules, Gupta was reappointed for a two-year term starting February 2, 2025, despite being due for superannuation on April 30, 2025, upon turning 60.
The department insisted that the extension complies with Supreme Court guidelines on police appointments, citing the Prakash Singh judgment which mandates fixed tenures for DGPs to prevent political interference.
Centre Disagrees, Flags Violation of AIS Rules
However, the central government disagrees, and in a strongly worded communication dated April 22, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed the Jharkhand Chief Secretary that Gupta’s continued service post-retirement violates the All India Services (AIS) Rules and contradicts the spirit of the Supreme Court’s guidelines.
The Centre maintains that Gupta, a 1990-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, superannuated on April 30, 2025, and is therefore no longer eligible to serve in the capacity of state police chief.
AG’s Office: Conditional Salary Based on Court Outcome
Following the state’s directive, the AG’s office has now conditionally processed Gupta’s pay, clarifying that this salary is provisional and subject to the final judgment of the High Court. If the court declares the appointment illegal, the AG has stated that any salary disbursed will be recovered from the officer.
On the other hand, if the court upholds the validity of the reappointment, Gupta will continue to receive a regular salary as DGP.
Political and Legal Implications
This high-profile standoff between the Centre and the Jharkhand government has drawn attention to the complex interplay of state autonomy, central service rules, and the judicial oversight of police appointments. With the Jharkhand High Court still hearing the matter, the case is being closely watched for its potential implications on future DGP appointments across Indian states.
