‘Why an acting DGP?’ SC grills TN, asks UPSC to fast-track regular police chief appointment

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned Tamil Nadu’s decision to appoint an acting DGP, directing the UPSC to swiftly recommend names for a regular appointment.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Tamil Nadu government over the appointment of an acting Director General of Police (DGP) and directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to expeditiously recommend a name for the regular DGP post in the DMK-ruled state.

"Why do you have an acting DGP?" a bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai asked the Tamil Nadu government, while hearing a contempt plea filed against the state government officials.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the state, submitted that a regular DGP could not be appointed as one of the officers had approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) seeking inclusion of his name in the selection panel.

The contempt petition was filed challenging the appointment of senior IPS officer G Venkatraman as the DGP in charge on August 31.

The petitioner urged the court to direct the UPSC to complete the process for recommending a regular DGP within a month.

Rohatgi argued that the UPSC, being a constitutional body, was well aware of its responsibility in the matter.

The bench then ordered, "We request the UPSC to consider the matter expeditiously. Upon receiving the recommendation, the respondent state shall take steps to appoint a regular DGP."

The contempt petition was filed by advocate Henri Tiphagne, contending that the ad hoc appointment violated the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in the Prakash Singh case. The verdict mandates that a state must send a proposal to the UPSC at least three months prior to the incumbent DGP’s retirement