New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India will on Monday hear a series of petitions challenging the appointment of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta (IPS: 1990: JH), amid allegations that his appointment violates established apex court guidelines and service rules.
A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, is scheduled to take up the matter, which has sparked a significant political and administrative debate in Jharkhand.
Babulal Marandi Among Petitioners Opposing Gupta’s Appointment
Among the petitioners is Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, who has questioned the legality of Anurag Gupta’s appointment. The petitions assert that due process was not followed and that the appointment disregards Supreme Court guidelines on DGP selections.
On July 24, the apex court agreed to hear the matter after senior advocate Anjana Prakash highlighted the procedural lapses in a plea filed by a social activist.
Background: Retirement, Tenure Dispute, and State vs Centre Conflict
Anurag Gupta, a 1990-batch IPS officer, was due to retire on April 30, 2025, under central service rules. However, he was officially appointed as Jharkhand DGP on February 2, 2025, under the Jharkhand DGP and IG Selection and Appointment Rules, 2025, notified on January 8.
Notably, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in a communication dated April 22, 2025, informed Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren that Gupta’s tenure cannot extend beyond his superannuation. Despite this, the Jharkhand government retained Gupta in the post, leading to a face-off between the state and the Centre.
Alleged Violation of 2006 SC Guidelines
The petitioners have cited the 2006 Supreme Court judgment that mandates:
- DGPs must be selected from a panel of three senior-most IPS officers prepared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- The selected DGP should be given a minimum fixed tenure of two years
The petitioners claim these directions were not complied with in Gupta’s case, thereby rendering his appointment legally untenable.
Contempt Plea and Anticipation Around Monday’s Hearing
The apex court had earlier issued notices to the Jharkhand government and Anurag Gupta in a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with its prior directives on DGP appointments. Monday’s hearing is expected to be crucial in determining the validity of Gupta’s continuation in office and may set a precedent for state-level appointments.
