The Andhra Pradesh government has flouted the Supreme Court’s judgment by delaying the appointment of the Director-General of Police (DGP) for 18 months, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) observed.
The Centre has faulted the State government for not appointing a full-fledged DGP after J.V. Ramudu had attained superannuation in July 2016, which was nothing but contravening the Supreme Court’s order. The MHA has the other day sent a letter to Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar on the irregularity and sought a fresh list of probable names for the post. In the writ petition filed by IPS officer Prakash Singh Vs Union of India and others, the SC laid down the guidelines for selection of DGP (Head of Police Force-HoPF) in September 2006.
Responding to the seven-member panel submitted by AP on October 23, the Home Ministry pointed out three officers in the list of seven would be retiring very shortly and did not have the mandatory tenure laid down by the SC.
“Recommending the name of the officer, who is on the verge of retirement, in the panel is against the spirit of the Supreme Court’s judgment,” the Centre said.
“The State government has violated the Apex Court’s orders in appointing former DGP J.V. Ramudu, but the uncertain situation post bifurcation of the State was an exceptional case then. But now eligible IPS officers who have lengthy service with good track record are available in AP,” a senior IPS officer preferring anonymity told The Hindu.
The State government should select the DGP from amongst the senior most IPS officers empanelled by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) taking into consideration the length of service, good track record, merit and experience.
Fixed tenure
The Court provided fixed a two-year tenure to avoid political pressures, misuse of officers and unwanted transfers and to enable him/her to discharge the responsibilities in a professional manner.
The DG rank officers of 1986 batch — R.P. Thakur (heading the ACB) in the State, V.S. Kaumudi (National Investigation Agency), D. Gautam Sawang (Vijayawada Police Commissioner) and Vinay Ranjan Ray (heading the Prisons Department) meet the norms.
“Now, it is a challenge for the State government in selecting the DGP, and we are eagerly waiting for the government’s decision. Hope the government will follow the orders of the Supreme Court in sending the panel for the second time,” another IPS officer said.
Mr. Dinesh Kumar said the panel would be prepared again and would be sent to the MHA soon.