New Delhi, Oct 8:
The Centre has approached the Supreme Court seeking annulment of the appointment of Tadasha Mishra as Jharkhand Director General of Police, alleging that the appointment violated procedures laid down by the apex court in its 2006 Prakash Singh judgment.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the Centre’s application. A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant directed that the matter be listed on Thursday.
The Centre has argued that Mishra was appointed as Jharkhand DGP just a day before her scheduled retirement. It said this was contrary to the Supreme Court’s directions discouraging the practice of appointing a police chief close to retirement so that the officer would effectively continue in the post for another two years.
The Centre also pointed out that the Supreme Court had said that, as far as practicable, officers empanelled for appointment as DGP should have at least two years of service remaining. It has challenged Jharkhand’s 2025 regulations governing selection and appointment of the police chief, claiming they violate the apex court’s directions.
The Centre further said the appointments of the previous two Jharkhand DGPs were also illegal. The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier written to the Jharkhand government seeking cancellation of Mishra’s appointment and steps for appointing a new police chief.