Chandigargh: In a significant development, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has returned the Haryana government’s proposal to prepare a panel of three IPS officers for appointing a new Director General of Police (DGP).
The Commission has stated that no actual vacancy exists, as current DGP Shatrujeet Kapur (IPS:1990:HY) is only on leave and can resume duty at any time.
This unexpected response has added a new twist to the already contentious process surrounding Haryana’s top police appointment.
Why the Proposal Was Returned
According to the UPSC’s communication, a state government can send a proposal for DGP selection only when there is an existing or anticipated vacancy.
However:
DGP Shatrujeet Kapur is not suspended or removed, merely on leave.
Therefore, no vacancy arises, even after the retirement of officiating DGP O P Singh (IPS:1992:HR) on December 31, since he was only given additional charge during Kapur’s leave period.
The Commission emphasized that unless the government establishes the occurrence of vacancy, the empanelment process cannot proceed.
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Background: Kapur Sent on Leave After Controversy
DGP Shatrujeet Kapur was asked to proceed on leave on October 14, following a growing demand for his removal in the aftermath of the suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar (IPS:2001:HY).
The incident triggered internal unrest within the police force and intensified political pressure on the state leadership.
Despite being on leave, Kapur continues to hold the post of DGP, which has now directly affected the panel formation process.
Names Sent by Haryana Government
The Haryana government had forwarded a list of five senior IPS officers to the UPSC for shortlisting –
- Shatrujeet Kapur (IPS:1990:HY) – On leave
- Sanjeev Kumar Jain (IPS:1991:HY) – DGP, Haryana Human Rights Commission
- Ajay Singhal (IPS:1992:HY) – DGP, Vigilance & ACB
- Alok Kumar Mittal (IPS:1993:HY) – MD, Haryana Police Housing Corporation
- Arshinder Singh Chawla (IPS:1993:HY) – Director, Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban
Notably, officiating DGP O P Singh was excluded as he retires on December 31, and under Supreme Court guidelines, a DGP must have minimum six months of service remaining.
What This Means for the State Government
If the Haryana government does not want Shatrujeet Kapur to resume as DGP after his leave, it will have to –
- Formally establish that a vacancy exists, and
- Send a fresh proposal to the UPSC explaining the grounds for this vacancy.
Until then, the process of appointing a new police chief remains on hold.
The Road Ahead
This development places the Haryana government in a delicate position—balancing administrative norms, political pressure, and internal police morale.
All eyes are now on how the state leadership navigates the vacancy question and whether it chooses to bring Kapur back or formally push for a replacement.
