In a fresh twist to the legal battle over the deputation of the IPS officers to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Union Home Ministry to produce the original files related to cadre review proposals for the CAPFs. The top court wants to get assured if they were sent after the six-month deadline set by its May 2025 verdict.
A bench comprising Justices Manoj Mishra and Ujjal Bhuyan said the enactment of the new law would not affect the cadre review of five forces. The apex court asked the ministry to submit files detailing the action taken on the court’s directions, including the cadre review proposals.
The Centre assured the bench that the files would be produced at the next hearing.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on October 27. It includes a contempt petition filed by CAPF officials alleging non-compliance with the court’s directions and the Centre’s application seeking more time to complete the cadre review.
The top court, however, refused to halt the deputation of IPS officers to the CAPFs, saying issuing such a direction without data may not be appropriate as it could create an administrative vacuum.
A group of CAPF officers have filed a contempt petition against the Centre alleging that the directions had not been followed the apex court’s directions issued on May 23, 2025.
They argued that the new CAPF law would have no bearing on the direction requiring the Centre to conduct cadre reviews in all the forces.
It is noteworthy here that the cadre reviews have not been done since 2021 despite the Supreme Court’s order to complete them within six months of the May 23, 2025 judgment.
The CAPF cadre officers have alleged that the Home Ministry issued letters inviting proposals for the cadre review after the six-month deadline. The CAPF officers described this as an act of flagrant violation of the court’s order.
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, came into force on October 8. Under this Act, 50 percent of the IG posts, at least 67 percent of the Additional DG posts and all posts of Special DG and DG ranks are reserved for the IPS officers on deputation.
The apex court had earlier asked for an explanation from the Home Secretary over the deputation of 46 IPS officers to five CAPFs despite its direction to progressively reduce their numbers. The ministry and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) were also asked to submit details of the steps taken to comply with the verdict.
The hearing will be resumed on October 27.
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