Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Jharkhand's Controversial DGP Appointment

The Supreme Court is set to hear pleas challenging the appointment of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta, alleged to violate due process. Opposition leader Babulal Marandi and others assert that Gupta's selection ignored necessary guidelines. The controversy includes Gupta's extended tenure despite rejection from the Centre.

The Supreme Court is poised to deliberate on a series of petitions challenging the appointment of Jharkhand's Director General of Police (DGP), Anurag Gupta, on Monday. The pleas allege that his appointment did not adhere to requisite procedural norms.

The bench, led by Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, will consider arguments presented by several petitioners, including Babulal Marandi, Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly. Marandi claims Gupta's ascent to DGP contravened established guidelines.

The controversy is compounded by Gupta's tenure extension efforts, rebuffed by the Central government, and previous litigation against his initial appointment by the state's JMM administration. The court seeks clarity on alleged non-compliance with a 2006 ruling mandating a fixed two-year DGP term.

(With inputs from agencies.)