New Delhi – The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to urgently hear a plea questioning the appointment of Anurag Gupta as Jharkhand’s Director General of Police (DGP).
Chief Justice B.R. Gavai said the matter would be placed before a three-judge Bench next week, following a mention by senior advocate Anjana Prakash Gupta.
The petition alleges Gupta’s appointment bypassed the Supreme Court’s Prakash Singh guidelines, which require the UPSC to recommend candidates for the DGP post. Gupta, whose name was reportedly not on the UPSC shortlist, was appointed through a new rule and granted service extension until April 2026, even though he was due to retire in April 2025.
The Union Home Ministry has stated Gupta cannot continue beyond 60 years of age under All India Services rules. BJP leader Babulal Marandi has also moved a contempt plea in the High Court, citing Gupta’s past suspension and procedural violations.
Earlier, the state government removed DGP Ajay Kumar Singh prematurely, although his term was set until February 2025.
With inputs from IANS