Despite the Union Home Ministry’s instruction to retire, IPS officer Anurag Gupta (IPS:1990:JH) continues to be the DGP of Jharkhand. A couple of days back, the Home Ministry had written a letter to the Jharkhand Chief Secretary instructing him to retire Anurag Gupta on April 30. As of late April 30 night, no order was issued to retire him.
The fate of Anurag Gupta as Jharkhand DGP has been hanging in balance due to the confrontation between the central government and the JMM-led state government over his continuance as state police chief. A fresh controversy erupted after the state government decided to extend Gupta’s tenure, scheduled to end on April 30.
The Centre pressed for Gupta’s retirement on April 30 as per schedule, but the state government stood behind him resisting Centre’s move to remove him from the post. The state government seems to have scored over the Centre, at least for the time being now.
In the latest development, after returning from abroad Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is reported to have met Anurag Gupta at his residence on April 30 evening, and sent a letter to the Union Home Ministry after taking legal opinion.
As per sources, the state government, in its letter, has pleaded that Anurag Gupta has been made DGP in accordance with the rules, which mandate a fixed two-year term for the DGP. Therefore, the letter says, the Centre should reconsider its stand on Gupta’s continuance as DGP. Sources say that the state government is trying to satisfy the Centre with its argument so that Anurag Gupta continues to remain the state police chief.
The central government had questioned the Jharkhand government’s decision to extend the service of Anurag Gupta as DGP beyond his retirement.
The JMM government had appointed Gupta as an Acting DGP on July 26, 2024 removing regular DGP Ajay Singh from that post. Gupta was later removed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) during the state Assembly elections and was replaced with Ajay Singh (IPS:1989:JH). But once the Hemant Soren-led government came to power after elections, Gupta was reinstated as DGP on November 28, 2024.
In order to formalize Gupta’s appointment, the state government framed new rules for the appointment of DGPs in January. Under new rules, a committee was formed under the chairmanship of a retired judge of the High Court with the chief secretary, home secretary and a representative of the UPSC being made its members. On the recommendation of this committee, Anurag Gupta was notified as the permanent DGP of the state.
As, according to the rule, the DGP must have a fixed tenure of two years; Gupta’s term was extended until July 26, 2026. This is being resisted by the Centre.
Also Read: Anurag Gupta’s fate as J’khand DGP hangs in balance
Join Us on WhatsApp