A new controversy has emerged regarding the panel of IPS officers submitted by the Jharkhand government to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the regular appointment of the Director General of Police (DGP). The UPSC has sought clarification from the state government on why Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh, a 1989-batch IPS officer, was included in the panel despite being removed from his position as the regular DGP.
Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh was appointed as the regular DGP in 2023 for a fixed two-year tenure. However, he was prematurely removed from the role, and his junior, Mr. Anurag Gupta, a 1990-batch IPS officer, was appointed as the acting DGP. The UPSC has now questioned the state government regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr. Singh’s removal before the completion of his tenure.
The issue gained further attention when the Jharkhand government included Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh’s name in a list of four IPS officers proposed for the appointment of a regular DGP. The UPSC has asked the state to provide justification for this decision, adding to the ongoing debate over the selection process.
The controversy underscores the complexities in DGP appointments and the need for greater transparency in the process.