The Supreme Court on Monday (September 8, 2025) pulled up the Tamil Nadu government for appointing an acting Director General of Police (DGP) instead of following the mandated selection process. The top court also directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to expeditiously recommend a panel of names for the appointment of a regular DGP.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and Atul S Chandurkar, was hearing a contempt plea challenging the appointment of G Venkatraman (IPS:1994:TN) as Acting DGP on August 31.
“Why do you have an acting DGP?” the bench asked, while expressing displeasure over the state’s move.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Tamil Nadu, argued that a regular appointment could not be made since one of the senior officers had moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) seeking inclusion of his name in the UPSC panel.
The bench, however, made it clear that the process cannot be delayed indefinitely. “We request the UPSC to consider the matter expeditiously. On the recommendation received from the UPSC, the respondent state shall take steps for appointing a regular DGP,” the order stated.
The contempt petition was filed by lawyer Henri Tiphagne, who alleged that the ad hoc appointment violated the Supreme Court’s landmark Prakash Singh judgment of 2018. The ruling had laid down that states must send a proposal with eligible officers’ names to UPSC at least three months before the incumbent DGP’s retirement, to ensure a smooth transition.
Also Read: G Venkataraman given charge as Acting DGP of Tamil Nadu
Also Read: IPS Pramod Kumar seeks SC relief on six-month rule in Tamil Nadu DGP selection
Join Us on WhatsApp