Chandigarh: In a significant development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued a notice of motion to the Punjab government over a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging blatant violation of the Indian Police Service (Cadre) Rules by appointing Punjab Police Service (PPS) officers to Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre posts—some of whom are facing criminal trials or convicted in cases involving moral turpitude.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Ramesh Kumari fixed October 29 as the next date of hearing in the matter.
Serious Allegations Raised in PIL
The PIL, filed by Simranjeet Singh, contends that the cadre rules framed by Parliament have been blatantly flouted by the state of Punjab. The petitioner claims that officers chargesheeted or convicted for offences involving moral turpitude continue to hold influential positions within the police department—often in public-facing roles and even as investigating officers.
“Officers facing trials are posted in districts where their own criminal cases are being heard. This violates the principle of impartiality and affects public confidence in law enforcement,” the petition reads.
Read also: Punjab & Haryana High Court Converts Plea on Excess IPS Posts in Haryana Into PIL – Details Inside
Call for Police Reforms and Accountability
The petitioner has also sought urgent implementation of police reforms, especially in light of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which recently came into force.
“The commitment, devotion and accountability of the police has to be only to the rule of law,” the PIL states, arguing that outdated practices and non-merit-based postings are weakening the foundation of justice in Punjab.
The petition demands that the Union of India, along with other respondents, take action to review the service eligibility of convicted or undertrial government employees and remove unfit officers from sensitive law enforcement roles.
IPS Posts Held by PPS Officers: A “Sorry State of Affairs”
Singh’s plea describes as a “very sorry affair” the fact that PPS officers continue to be posted on sanctioned IPS posts, despite many of them being under investigation or trial. In some cases, the petition notes, challans have not been submitted for years, yet these officers continue to climb the ranks and are posted to their home districts, flouting established transfer policies.
Key Allegations from the PIL:
PPS officers facing criminal charges or convictions are holding IPS cadre posts.
Officers are assigned to sensitive roles like DCP (Law & Order) and DCP (Investigation).
Several officers are investigating cases or supervising investigations while themselves being under investigation.
Officers are being posted in home districts, contrary to policy.
The Home Department is allegedly failing to act despite the availability of service rules mandating suspension or dismissal in such cases.
Petition Seeks Judicial Intervention
The petitioner urges the High Court to:
- Review eligibility of undertrial/convicted officers for public posts.
- Enforce cadre rules for IPS appointments in Punjab.
- Ensure disciplinary action against officers violating service norms.
- Implement long-pending police reforms in line with modern legal frameworks.
- Legal and Administrative Implications
If the High Court accepts the arguments laid out in the petition, this could lead to a major administrative shake-up in the Punjab Police, forcing the state to revise its cadre management practices, and ensure strict compliance with central service rules. The case could also set a precedent for police accountability and transparency across other Indian states.
