New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court Thursday postponed the hearing on the selection and appointment of the Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) to September 22. The hearing focused on issues raised by amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran regarding the empanelment and eligibility lists prepared for the DGP selection process.
Among the issues discussed was the exclusion of senior IPS officer Susanta Kumar Nath from the eligibility list, besides concerns relating to the integrity certificate of an officer. The state government initially forwarded the names of three DG-rank officers to the UPSC for consideration.
However, objections were subsequently raised over the inclusion of additional officers in the list, according to reports. The case is linked to the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in its 2006 Prakash Singh judgment.
These guidelines require the UPSC to prepare a panel of the senior-most eligible officers for DGP selection and maintain transparency in the appointment process. The next hearing, scheduled for September 22, is expected to consider issues related to the eligibility list, promotions and the inclusion of senior officers in the selection process.
The Supreme Court’s decision will pave the way for the appointment of a new DGP in Odisha.