Chennai: The Supreme Court has directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Tamil Nadu government to fast-track the appointment of a regular Director General of Police (DGP). The Court emphasized compliance with legal guidelines and the need for an expeditious selection process.
Tamil Nadu Submits Names for Consideration
The Tamil Nadu government informed the apex court on Monday that it has already forwarded the shortlisted names for the regular DGP/Head of Police Force to the UPSC. This follows the ad hoc appointment of G. Venkatraman IPS as acting DGP on August 31, 2025, after the retirement of Shankar Jiwal IPS.
Supreme Court Orders Expedited Process
A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai directed the UPSC and the state government to consider the names and finalise the regular DGP appointment without delay.
Senior advocates for the petitioner, including Henri Tiphagne, urged the Court to impose a one-month timeline. The Court, however, did not accept a specific deadline but stressed swift action.
Petition Highlights Legal Concerns
The petition argued that Venkatraman’s ad hoc appointment violated the Supreme Court’s 2018 Prakash Singh ruling, which mandates:
- States must send proposals to UPSC at least three months before the incumbent DGP’s retirement.
- No officer should be appointed acting DGP contrary to the Court’s directions.
According to the petition, Tamil Nadu failed to follow the three-month timeline, making Venkatraman’s acting appointment inconsistent with the Court’s instructions.
State’s Stand on UPSC Role
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Tamil Nadu, stressed that UPSC is a constitutional body aware of its duties. The Court acknowledged this but reiterated that the appointment process must proceed without unnecessary delays.
Court Reaffirms Compliance Principles
The ruling underscores that states must strictly adhere to judicial guidelines for DGP appointments. Ad hoc measures should not contravene the apex court’s directions, ensuring transparency and merit-based selection.
Also Read: Massive UPSC Update: CMS 2025 Results Declared, NDA-2 Admit Card Released for September Examination
