New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned further hearing in the case concerning the selection and appointment of Odisha’s Director General of Police (DGP), with the matter scheduled to be taken up again on Wednesday. The proceedings concern the procedure followed by the Odisha government in preparing and forwarding the list of eligible IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for empanelment.
The case has brought the state’s DGP selection process under judicial scrutiny, particularly over changes made to the eligibility list and the exclusion of senior IPS officer Susanta Kumar Nath. Amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran has raised questions regarding the empanelment procedure and the integrity certificate issue.
Supreme Court Examines Odisha DGP Selection Process
The proceedings relate to a challenge to the process adopted by the Odisha government for selecting the state’s next police chief.
The state government had initially forwarded the names of three DG-rank officers to the UPSC. Questions were subsequently raised over changes to the list and the inclusion of additional officers after promotions.
The key issues under scrutiny include:
- Changes to the eligibility and empanelment lists
- Inclusion of officers promoted to DGP rank after the original list was submitted
- Exclusion of senior IPS officer Susanta Kumar Nath
- Withholding of an integrity certificate
- Compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions governing DGP appointments
Questions Over Expansion of Zone of Consideration
One of the major issues concerns the changes made to the pool of officers being considered for the DGP post.
According to reports, the Odisha government submitted its original eligibility list to the UPSC on May 14, 2026. Two Additional DGP-rank officers were subsequently promoted to DGP rank in August, after which an updated list reflected the changes.
The amicus curiae has questioned whether officers who became eligible after the original list was forwarded should be included in the selection process. Ramachandran had submitted that the original eligibility list should be considered by the Empanelment Committee.
Susanta Kumar Nath’s Exclusion Under Scrutiny
The Supreme Court is also examining the exclusion of senior 1993-batch IPS officer Susanta Kumar Nath from the eligibility list.
The issue is linked to the withholding of his integrity certificate. The amicus curiae has sought clarity on the reasons for withholding the certificate and has raised questions about whether the decision was based on relevant material and proper consideration.
Reports on the proceedings have also highlighted the distinction between preliminary inquiries and formal criminal proceedings. The matter remains part of the ongoing judicial examination and no final determination has been made by the Supreme Court on these issues.
Case Linked to 2006 Prakash Singh Judgment
The dispute is connected to the Supreme Court’s landmark 2006 Prakash Singh judgment, which laid down guidelines concerning police reforms and the appointment of state police chiefs.
The framework provides for the UPSC to prepare a panel of eligible senior IPS officers for consideration for appointment as DGP. The present proceedings are examining whether the changes to Odisha’s eligibility and empanelment process are consistent with those directions.
The petitioners have raised concerns about adherence to the prescribed procedure, while the court is considering the submissions of the state government, petitioners and the amicus curiae.
Supreme Court to Continue Hearing on Odisha DGP Appointment
The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further hearing on September 23, according to the proceedings described in the latest reports. The court is expected to hear further arguments concerning the eligibility list, subsequent promotions, empanelment process and integrity certificate issue.
The outcome of the proceedings will determine the further course of the selection process for Odisha’s next permanent DGP.
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