THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Ranchi, June 16: A petition filed by BJP leader Babulal Marandi challenging the newly implemented DGP appointment rules in Jharkhand and the appointment of Anurag Gupta to the post was heard in the Jharkhand High Court. The hearing took place on Monday before a division bench headed by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao.
The court granted another opportunity to the respondents—including the state government, central government, UPSC, the DGP, and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs—to file their replies. Notably, none of the respondents had submitted their responses during the previous hearing as well.
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Advocate Shailesh Poddar, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, informed the court that the state government had framed new DGP appointment rules that completely eliminated the role of the UPSC, which he argued was unconstitutional and should be quashed.
Challenge to Anurag Gupta’s Appointment
The petition states that Anurag Gupta was appointed as Acting DGP on July 25, 2024, in violation of a Supreme Court order dated July 3, 2018. After the conclusion of the state assembly elections, the then DGP Ajay Kumar Singh was removed on November 28, 2024, and Anurag Gupta was again appointed as Acting DGP—another alleged violation of the Supreme Court’s directive.
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The petition argues that the DGP should be appointed from a panel recommended by the UPSC, but the Hemant Soren-led government bypassed the UPSC and appointed Anurag Gupta as DGP at its discretion. It further contends that the Supreme Court has clearly stated that until a new law is enacted by the state, the appointment of the DGP must follow the UPSC-recommended process.
