Uttarakhand’s DGP, Mr. Abhinav Kumar (1996-batch IPS officer), has called for a transparent and independent process for appointing police chiefs in the state. In an official communication to the state’s Home Secretary, Mr. Shailesh Bagauli (2002-batch IAS officer), Mr. Kumar urged reforms to the State Police Act, 2007, to align with evolving needs.
Mr. Kumar expressed concerns about the current appointment system, which heavily involves the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Ministry of Home Affairs. He emphasized that the process should adhere to the Supreme Court’s guidelines outlined in the 2006 Prakash Singh judgment, which directed states to enact laws ensuring regular and independent appointments for DGPs.
Drawing inspiration from Uttar Pradesh’s recently revised policy for DGP appointments, Officer Kumar suggested that Uttarakhand adopt similar measures to strengthen the integrity and autonomy of its police force. He believes such reforms will uphold the state’s independence in making key decisions while maintaining alignment with judicial directives.
