Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court on Monday examined concerns surrounding the procedure followed for the appointment of the Odisha Director General of Police (DGP), with senior advocate and amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran questioning the empanelment process. The matter relates to the exclusion of senior IPS officer Sushant Kumar Nath and the promotion of two Additional DGP-rank officers to DGP rank shortly before the selection process.
The Supreme Court has now deferred the hearing on the PIL challenging the Odisha DGP selection process to September 16, 2026.
Amicus Curiae Questions Odisha DGP Empanelment Process
During his submissions, Raju Ramachandran raised concerns over the procedural integrity, transparency and adherence to established guidelines in the Odisha DGP selection process.
The submissions were made in the context of the Supreme Court’s earlier judgment in the Prakash Singh case, as well as recent actions taken by the Odisha government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Ramachandran, along with Dr Charu Mathur, specifically questioned the exclusion of Sushant Kumar Nath (IPS:1993:OD) from the empanelment process.
The amicus also questioned the decision to promote two Additional DGP-rank officers to the rank of DGP and subsequently include their names in the shortlist for the appointment.
Temporary Ex-Cadre DGP Posts Under Question
According to the report submitted by the amicus curiae, serious concerns have been raised over the Odisha government’s creation of temporary ex-cadre DGP posts shortly before the appointment process.
The creation of these posts reportedly enabled two Additional DGPs to become eligible for consideration for the DGP position.
The amicus pointed out that the development took place after the original eligibility list had already been submitted to the UPSC.
The report also noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier denied such posts, while the subsequent decision to allow them was not accompanied by a clear justification, according to the submissions.
Amicus Seeks Consideration of Original Eligibility List
The amicus curiae recommended that the Empanelment Committee should consider only the original eligibility list to ensure fairness and prevent any possibility of manipulation in the selection process.
Ramachandran specifically submitted that the committee should rely on the Original Eligibility List submitted on May 14, 2026, instead of the Updated List submitted on August 10, 2026, which reflected the subsequent promotions.
The submission effectively questioned whether changes made after the original list was submitted should influence the empanelment process.
Integrity Certificate Issue Raised Before Supreme Court
Another issue raised by the amicus concerned the withholding of the Integrity Certificate of one of the eligible DGP-level officers.
Ramachandran urged the Supreme Court to direct the Odisha government to file an affidavit explaining the reasons for withholding the certificate.
The submission also referred to the prevailing legal position and the fact that the concerned officer continues to hold the position of DGP.
Supreme Court Defers Hearing to September 16
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court deferred the hearing on the PIL challenging the selection process for the Odisha DGP to September 16, 2026.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard the matter on Monday and adjourned the proceedings for a week.
The next hearing is expected to consider the concerns raised regarding the empanelment procedure, eligibility lists and the changes made shortly before the selection process.
Read also: Odisha DGP Selection Row: SC Adjourns Hearing to Sept 16; Sushant Nath Moves Impleadment Plea
