Supreme Court to Revisit Police Leadership Appointments

The Supreme Court will review the process of appointing State DGPs, responding to concerns about ad-hoc appointments and lack of compliance with prior verdicts on police reforms. Notable petitioners, including former DGP Prakash Singh, have advocated for a panel-driven selection process to ensure transparency and adherence to regulations.

The Supreme Court has announced plans to examine the appointment protocols of state police chiefs, responding to allegations of procedural lapses and ad-hoc appointments. The hearing, scheduled for two weeks from now, will tackle various issues, including a plea by former DGP Prakash Singh proposing a structured panel for the selection process.

This call for reform echoes suggestions from Advocate Prashant Bhushan, who compared the appointment of DGPs to that of the CBI director, advocating for a three-member panel that includes political and judicial figures. Concerns have been raised, especially in states like Jharkhand, where procedural norms were allegedly sidestepped during appointment extensions.

The Supreme Court's 2006 verdict laid out guidelines to separate investigation duties from law enforcement and recommended a systematic approach to DGP appointments, urging adherence to prevent corruption and ensure transparency. However, petitions claim these guidelines have not been well implemented, prompting fresh judicial scrutiny.

(With inputs from agencies.)