Kolkata: West Bengal is poised to get a new Director General of Police (DGP) on February 1, following a crucial direction from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to expedite the long-pending selection process. The tribunal on Wednesday instructed the state government to submit a fresh list of IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and laid down a clear timeline for finalising the empanelment.
The CAT’s intervention has effectively cleared procedural hurdles, ensuring that the state appoints a regular DGP immediately after the retirement of the current acting police chief.
State Government Acts Swiftly After Tribunal’s Direction
Following the CAT’s order, the West Bengal government acted with alacrity and forwarded a revised list of eligible IPS officers to the UPSC within hours on Wednesday itself. Sources in the state home department confirmed the development, indicating a sense of relief within the government after months of uncertainty surrounding the DGP appointment.
The tribunal had directed the state to submit the revised list by January 23, a deadline the government met promptly.
Read also: CAT Orders West Bengal, UPSC to Expedite IPS Rajesh Kumar’s DGP Empanelment
UPSC Directed to Finalise Panel by January 29
In its order, the CAT also instructed the UPSC to convene the empanelment committee meeting by January 28, prepare the panel of shortlisted officers, and forward the final panel to the state government by January 29.
This timeline effectively allows the state government to appoint a new DGP by January 31, coinciding with the retirement of the current acting DGP, Rajeev Kumar. As a result, the new DGP is expected to assume charge on February 1.
Acting DGP Rajeev Kumar Retiring on January 31
The post of West Bengal DGP has remained without a regular appointment for more than two years. The vacancy arose on December 28, 2023, after which IPS officer Rajeev Kumar (IPS: 1989: WB) was appointed as acting DGP.
Rajeev Kumar is scheduled to retire on January 31, making the tribunal’s timeline critical for ensuring a smooth leadership transition within the state police.
Delay in DGP Appointment Since 2023
The prolonged vacancy was caused by the state government’s delay in initiating the selection process in accordance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines laid down in the Prakash Singh case (2006). The apex court had mandated a transparent and time-bound process for appointing DGPs to ensure autonomy and professionalism in policing.
Due to this delay, the West Bengal government failed to submit its proposal to the UPSC for more than one and a half years after the vacancy occurred.
UPSC Returned Proposal Over Procedural Lapse
The UPSC had earlier returned the state’s proposal, stating that it was forwarded only in July 2025, long after the vacancy arose in December 2023. The commission advised the state government to seek further directions from the Supreme Court due to the deviation from prescribed norms.
This setback further stalled the appointment of a regular DGP.
Initial Panel and Legal Challenge
When the West Bengal government finally submitted its panel in July 2025, it included 10 IPS officers, among them acting DGP Rajeev Kumar. The UPSC reportedly shortlisted three candidates from this list.
However, the process was stalled after IPS officer Rajesh Kumar (IPS: 1990: WB) challenged the selection process before the CAT.
Rajesh Kumar’s Petition Before CAT
Rajesh Kumar, who is currently serving as principal secretary in the department of mass education and library sciences, approached the tribunal seeking inclusion of his name in the UPSC’s panel of three officers eligible for appointment as DGP.
His petition ultimately led to the CAT’s directive for submission of a fresh list by the state government.
Retirement Deadline Central to Legal Challenge
Rajesh Kumar, like acting DGP Rajeev Kumar, is also scheduled to retire on January 31. He argued before the tribunal that any further delay in finalising the panel would jeopardise his right to be considered for appointment to the state’s top police post.
The tribunal appears to have taken note of the impending retirement of both senior-most IPS officers while setting strict deadlines for the empanelment process.
Two Senior-Most IPS Officers Retiring Together
Interestingly, both Rajeev Kumar and Rajesh Kumar, two of West Bengal’s senior-most IPS officers, will retire on the same day—January 31. The CAT’s timeline ensures that the selection process is completed before their superannuation, preserving procedural fairness.
