IPS Officers To Be Considered For DGP Promotion If They Have At Least 6 Months Of Service Left: SC

The Supreme Court (SC) in its judgement today (13 March) clarified that Indian Police Service (IPS) officers who have at least six months tenure left in their service would be considered for the post of director general of police (DGP) in their cadre state, reports Press Trust of India (PTI).

The bench headed by the chief justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi added that Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) should use merit as the only criteria to base its recommendation for the post of DGP and the panel preparation.

According to a 2006 judgement of the apex court in the Prakash Singh case, UPSC has been directed to prepare a panel of three senior police officers from which a state can choose a DGP.

SC Affirms Its Stand

Reiterating its stand on the issue, on 15 January, the SC squashed the pleas of five states - Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, Haryana and Bihar - to implement local laws to select and appoint police chiefs. The SC bench, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, noted that this decision was taken in the larger public interest and to protect the police officials from political interference.

Also Read: UPSC Maintains Silence Over IPS Appointments For Punjab DGP After Senior Officials Cry Foul At Exclusion