New Delhi/Chennai: Senior IPS officer Pramod Kumar (IPS:1989:TN), currently serving as Director General of Civil Defence and Commandant General, Home Guards, has approached the Supreme Court of India seeking exemption from the apex court’s six-month residual tenure rule for appointment as Director General of Police (DGP) in Tamil Nadu.
Kumar, the senior-most DGP-rank officer in the state, is set to retire on September 30, 2025, and has asked the Court to allow his candidature for the top police post despite falling short of the minimum tenure mandated under the landmark Prakash Singh judgment.
Background: Supreme Court’s Six-Month Rule and Tamil Nadu’s DGP Transition
The Supreme Court’s 2006 Prakash Singh judgment mandates that officers considered for the post of DGP must have at least six months of service left before superannuation. This rule was designed to ensure continuity and independence in police leadership.
In Tamil Nadu, the incumbent DGP Shankar Jiwal (IPS:1990:TN) is slated to retire on August 30, prompting the state to initiate the process of selecting a new police chief. Among the six DGP-rank officers currently serving, Kumar stands as the most senior, making him a natural contender — but for the tenure rule.
Delay Due to Cleared Case: Kumar’s Key Argument
In his interim plea before a bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, Kumar contended that while he was granted DGP rank retrospectively from 2020, his formal promotion was issued only in 2024 due to a pending criminal case — the Paazee Forex Scam — which has since been quashed by the Madras High Court.
He argued that the delay in promotion was beyond his control, and excluding him based on the six-month clause would amount to “grave injustice.” He has requested the Supreme Court to direct the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to consider his name with a relaxation of the tenure rule.
Previous Legal Attempt in 2023 and Clearance from Paazee Scam Case
This is not the first time Kumar has taken legal recourse to seek a shot at the DGP post. In May 2023, ahead of the retirement of then DGP C Sylendra Babu (IPS:1987:TN), Kumar had moved the Madras High Court, asserting that he would become eligible for consideration if the CBI case against him was quashed.
The case, which stemmed from the Paazee Forex Scam of 2009, involved allegations that Kumar had extorted money from directors of the fraudulent firm. Suspended in 2012, he was later reinstated in 2018. After over a decade of legal proceedings, the Madras High Court discharged him on June 7, 2024, citing lack of evidence and procedural lapses by the CBI — particularly the absence of mandatory Union Government approval under Section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
Read also: PIL Filed in Madras High Court Seeking Timely Appointment of New Tamil Nadu DGP – Details Inside
Supreme Court Proceedings and State’s Response Awaited
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government and asked it to file its response by Friday. A final decision on whether Kumar can be considered for the DGP post is expected to follow subsequent hearings.
With his legal record cleared and service credentials intact, Kumar maintains that a strict application of the tenure rule in his case would defeat the spirit of justice. The outcome of this plea could have broader implications for senior-level police appointments across India.
