JOIN USA R Infant, an IPS officer, has filed a petition before the Central Administration Tribunal, Bangalore, challenging appointment of Shankar Bidari as the DG and IGP.
Infant (59), who belongs to the 1978 batch of IPS officers, has listed Bidari as well as the chief secretary, the secretary of the Union Department of Personnel and Training, and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as respondents.
He has termed the Bidari’s appointment “an act of unhealthy, petty political interference and continued political patronage”.
Sources said Infant had alleged that it was in “gross and willful violation” of the Supreme Court ruling in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case. In the judgment on September 22, 2006, the Apex court ruled that the DGP should be selected from among three senior most IPS officers on the basis of the length of their service, very good record, and range of experience. The appointment should be at least for two years, irrespective of the officer’s date of superannuation (retirement).
Infant contended that the State government relieved the former DG and IGP, Neelam Achuta Rao, against the SC directive. The move was a “preconceived plan” to appoint Bidari who deftly used his political clout. Infant has argued that Rao should have been allowed to remain the DG and IGP till July 4, 2013.
Bidari was accused of violating human rights when he headed the Special Task Force (STF) to nab the forest brigand, Veerappan, alleged Infant. The violations included illegal detention of men and women from the villages, meting out brutal and dehumanising torture to them, and stripping, debasing, and raping women, Infant is learnt to have mentioned in the application.
Infant, who hails from Paravur town in Kollam district of Kerala, has also questioned Bidari’s claims of an “impeccable” service record, saying he “failed” to detect the April 17, 2010 bomb blasts outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government overlooked Infant’s seniority, merit, service record, range of experience, and integrity, he charged.
The case is expected to be listed for hearing on December 28. Sources said Infant was determined to continue the battle, even if he did not get a positive verdict before his retirement on May 23, 2012.