It’s time for Uttar Pradesh (UP) to elect its next police chief – will he be a permanent commissioner or an acting director general of police (DGP) for the fourth consecutive time?
As the current Acting Deputy Inspector General of Police Vijaya Kumar is set to retire on January 31, 2024, speculations about the possible candidates for the post are doing the rounds in UP political and police circles. Sources in the UP police said that UP is likely to get the acting DGP for the fourth consecutive time, but they did not deny the appointment of a regular DGP.
The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a list of five officials based on seniority and other criteria. The name must be finalized within 72 hours of the DGP’s retirement.
Mukul Goel, an IPS officer of 1987-batch UP cadre, topped the list of eligible persons. However, sources said his name was being considered after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sacked Goel on May 11, 2022, citing inefficiency and neglect of work. To withdraw from the campaign. As things stand, 1988-batch IPS officer Anand Kumar, who is currently serving as chief of the Crime Branch (CB) of the CID, is seen as the top contender.
All about Anand Kumar
Anand Kumar plans to retire on April 30, 2024. Sources said he had served as Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law and Order for a long time in the current Uttar Pradesh government. Kumar was born on April 4, 1980, in Patna, the capital of Bihar state. He was educated at Delhi Modern School and later obtained a master’s degree in history from Hansraj College, University of Delhi.
All about PV Ramasastry
Based on seniority, another name on the list is that of 1989-batch IPS officer PV Ramasastry, who is currently posted as Directorate General of Border Security Force (BSF). Prior to this, he served as Assistant Director-General for Law and Order. His pension payment date is May 31, 2025.
Ramasatry hails from Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. For many years, he has been responsible for inter-agency training for the position of CBI Director. In 2006, he also received the Police Service Medal, the Police Service’s highest honor. He served as Inspector General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Government of India, and was previously appointed as Joint Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
Then came the names of IPS officers of 1990 batch, SN Sabatcurrently serving as DG Jails, was followed by Prashant Kumar, an IPS officer of the 1990 batch.
All about Prashant Kumar?
Prashant Kumar is a 1990-batch IPS officer born in Sivan, Bihar. Prashant Kumar completed MBA, MSc and MPhil before qualifying from IPS. After being selected as IPS member, Prashant Kumar accepted appointment in Tamil Nadu cadre. But in 1994, he was transferred to UP cadre after marrying IAS Dimple Verma from UP cadre. Prashant Kumar was awarded the Police Medal three times for his bravery. In 2020 and 2021, he received the Valor Award. The President also awarded him the Police Medal for Valor. The Uttar Pradesh government has selected Prashant Kumar as Assistant Director General to clamp down on criminal elements in western Uttar Pradesh. Prashant Kumar is currently serving as Special Director General, Law and Order.
Acting as deputy director-general again?
“If the selection is on the basis of seniority, Anand Kumar is the seniormost IPS officer in the fray. However, the Uttar Pradesh government is likely to appoint Anand Kumar as the new acting IGP and after his retirement, P.P. Rashant Kumar will become the Uttar Pradesh Police Chief till his retirement,” sources in Uttar Pradesh Police said.
If this happens, it will be the fourth consecutive time that UP has received a proxy DGP.
Vijaya Kumar succeeds Dr. Raj Kumar Vishwakarma, who is serving as Acting DGP from March 31, 2023. Vishwakarma also serves as the chairman of the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board. Vishwakarma takes over from the then acting deputy solicitor general Devendra Singh Chauhan, who served for nearly 11 months before retiring. The Yogi government appointed Chouhan after ousting Goel, accusing him of “inaction” and “lack of interest in the job”.
Goel, the last regular DGP in the state and currently serving as DG Civil Defense, will retire in February 2024.
However, speculations are rife that Prashant Kumar may be appointed to head the DGP as he is the senior-most director general at the DGP headquarters.
DGP selection criteria
Senior UP government officials said that as per norms, the DGP should be selected by the state government from among the three most senior officers of the department appointed by the Union Public Service Commission on the basis of their length of service, record and scope of experience.
The elected officer shall serve for a minimum period of two years regardless of pension date. However, if any action is taken against the DGP under the All India Services (Disciplinary and Appeals) Rules or upon conviction in an Indian court, the state government in consultation with the National Security Council may relieve the DGP of his responsibility. Criminal offense or corruption case, or the official is otherwise unable to perform his or her duties.
Appointment of deputy director-general sparks controversy
In 2022, a Delhi-based lawyer named Brajesh Singh challenged the system of appointing acting DGP, saying it violated the Supreme Court order.
In a contempt petition filed in the Supreme Court, Singh had challenged the appointment of acting attorney generals in two states, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. It alleged that the successive appointments of UP acting DGP were in complete violation of the Supreme Court order.
In 2006, the Supreme Court stated in a judgment that there was no “concept” of “acting DGP”. Further, the Supreme Court noted that the tenure of the DGP should be at least two years as there is a need to protect the office of the DGP from political influence. ” the petition states.
Follow us on Google news ,Twitter , and Join Whatsapp Group of thelocalreport.in
