Top Court Steps in on Jharkhand DGP Row Scheduled to Hear Plea Next Week
(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Delhi 24, July, 2025-The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a crucial plea next week challenging the continuation of Jharkhand’s current Director General of Police (DGP), Anurag Gupta, citing violations of the landmark Prakash Singh vs Union of India judgment.
The matter was mentioned by senior advocate Anjana Prakash Gupta, representing a group of social activists, before a bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran. He argued that Gupta’s continued appointment undermines key police reforms mandated by the court, particularly against political interference in police leadership.
The advocate highlighted unrest in the state’s administration, pointing out that the Jharkhand government initially stopped the DGP’s salary before suddenly reinstating it, leading to instability and administrative confusion.
The bench acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and agreed to list the case before a three-judge panel on the upcoming Wednesday or Thursday.
This plea recalls the 2006 Prakash Singh judgment, which called for the formation of independent State Security Commissions and prohibited the appointment of DGPs in an acting capacity — a direction reinforced by a 2018 ruling.
Notably, on September 6, 2024, a separate Supreme Court bench headed by the then Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud had already sought a response from the Jharkhand Chief Secretary on a contempt petition relating to Anurag Gupta’s appointment, questioning its alignment with the court’s orders.
