JOIN USThe High Court of Karnataka has asked the State government to explain its stance on IPS validity rules which allow for the appointment of defence and paramilitary persons as police officers under the Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre.
Hanumantharaju C Naik and others had filed a petition challenging the decision of the Department of Personnel Training of the Union Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievance to introduce Rule 8 to the existing Indian Police Service (Recruitment) Rules 1954.
The rule enables appointment of army and paramilitary officers to the IPS cadre. Justice Subhash Adi, who heard the petition, directed the State government to file its reply within two weeks.
The petitioners, in their submission, described the introduction of Rule 8 as illegal and arbitrary. They also contended that amendments to the rules violate Article 14 of the Constitution. They also argue that by introducing the rule, the Union government can encroach upon State subjects like law and order.
“These categories (military and paramilitary) are trained for defence operations and will not be aware of problems pertaining to maintenence of peace and tranquility, handling law and order, investigation of crimes, human rights issues and related issues. These issues cannot be handled by them,” the petitioners said.
The counsel for the petitioners said that selection process is against public interest and 18 states, including Karnataka, had objected to this kind of recruitment. He also submitted that neither the State nor the Union of Public Service Commission were consulted while introducing the rule.