Supreme Court Halts Odisha DGP Selection Over Eligibility Dispute

The Supreme Court of India ordered the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to defer finalizing the candidate list for the Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha until August 18. The order follows a public interest litigation alleging that the Government of Odisha attempted to include an ineligible junior officer of Additional Director General of Police rank in the selection panel.

Petitioner Jayanta Das, represented by advocate P. Chidambaram, argued that the state government tried to "smuggle" an officer into the panel by promoting them just before the UPSC meeting. This action allegedly violates the 2006 Prakash Singh judgment, which mandates that the DGP be selected from the three senior-most empanelled officers. The court expressed concern over a potential "back door entry" after learning an ADGP was promoted on August 12.

Chief Justice Surya Kant stated that the UPSC is duty-bound to ensure compliance with court directions and must intervene if ineligible officers are proposed. The matter is urgent as incumbent DGP Y. B. Khurania is scheduled to demit office on August 16. While the court has paused the process, the Government of Odisha denies any breach of judicial directions.