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News India Live, Digital Desk: There is a stir in political and administrative circles from Delhi to Ranchi regarding the appointment of the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Jharkhand. The Union Home Ministry has expressed serious objection to the decision of the Hemant Soren government to appoint Tadasha Mishra as the new police captain of the state. The ministry has written a letter to the state government seeking answers regarding the appointment process and rules. After this tough stance, now a legal and constitutional crisis seems to be arising in Jharkhand regarding the post of DGP.
Violation of Supreme Court’s ‘Prakash Singh Judgment’?
The Home Ministry argues that for the appointment of DGP, the panel prepared by UPSC and the guidelines given by the Supreme Court in the ‘Prakash Singh’ case have not been followed. As per rules, the state government has to send a panel of names of senior IPS officers to UPSC, out of which three eligible names are selected and sent back to the state. The Home Ministry has indicated that the prescribed procedure has been ignored in the present appointment, which is directly against the rules.
Questions on seniority and selection of Tadasha Mishra
The government has approved the name of senior Jharkhand cadre IPS officer Tadasha Mishra, but there are allegations of ignoring the seniority of other officers included in the panel. The Central Government has asked the State under what circumstances and on what basis Tadasha Mishra was given preference over senior officers. After this letter, a round of meetings has started in the State Secretariat and opinions are being taken from legal experts so that logical answers can be given to the Centre’s questions.
State government on the backfoot or an all-out war?
This is not the first time that the Center and the State are at loggerheads over the appointment of DGP in Jharkhand. Even before this, appointments have been in controversy many times due to technical reasons. Political analysts believe that if the state government is unable to give a satisfactory reply, they may have to withdraw their decision or the matter may reach the court. The opposition has also started cornering the government on this issue and termed it as administrative anarchy.
Confusion in police department, impact on work
This ongoing tussle over the top post is also affecting the morale and functioning of Jharkhand Police. There is currently a pause on transfers and important policy decisions. Officials are waiting to know whether Tadasha Mishra will continue in her post or the government will announce a new name under pressure from the Centre. This ‘letter bomb’ of the Home Ministry has created a new heat in the politics of Jharkhand.