New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday moved to the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Tadasha Mishra, alleging that the appointment was made in violation of the procedure laid down by it for selection of the State police chief.
The Centre has sought a direction to Jharkhand to follow the procedure laid down by the Supreme Court for Director General of Police (DGP) appointments and a declaration that appointments made under the State’s 2025 Regulation are illegal. The Prakash Singh case concerns the Supreme Court’s long-running oversight of police reforms, with the Court issuing a series of directions since 2006 to promote institutional independence, transparent appointments and stability in the tenure of senior police officials.
The challenge is directed against the “Selection and Appointment of Director General and Inspector General of Police, Jharkhand (Head of the Police Force) Regulation, 2025”, notified on January 8, 2025.
Under the apex court’s framework, the State government is required to appoint the DGP from a panel of three officers shortlisted by the UPSC based on their service record, seniority and experience. The chosen officer is ordinarily entitled to a minimum two-year tenure, irrespective of the officer’s date of superannuation.
The Centre has also challenged the appointments of IPS officers Anurag Gupta and along with Tadasha Mishra as DGP. The Centre has asked the court to direct Jharkhand to implement its directions in the Prakash Singh case and, alternatively, declare DGP appointments made under the 2025 regulation illegal.
