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IFS Sanjiv Chaturvedi’s empanelment case changes direction; Centre seeks recall of CAT order for appraisal guidelines

By
LO Bureau
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IFS Sanjiv Chaturvedi

The case of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi’s non-empanelment at the Centre took a different direction with the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) seeking recall of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)’s earlier order. The CAT, in its order on Oct 14, had directed the DoPT to place the 360-degree appraisal guidelines on record, while hearing the case of Chaturvedi’s non-empanelment at the joint secretary level at the Centre.

The DoPT has sought recall of this order through an affidavit filed before the CAT on Dec 14.

While seeking recall, the DoPT has contended that the tribunal’s direction needs to be withdrawn, as the 360-degree appraisal guidelines fall under the jurisdiction of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and are not in the public domain. The personnel department maintained that the documents could, at best, be shown to the tribunal in a confidential or sealed-cover manner.

The DoPT had virtually produced the guidelines on Oct 14 in a sealed cover, but the CAT returned it and directed it to place the guidelines properly on record. DoPT has now sought recall of this order.

The entire controversy arose after the ACC rejected Chaturvedi’s empanelment at the joint secretary level, following which the officer approached CAT seeking directions to the Union Govt to provide records of all documents, appraisals, the expert committee report, the Civil Services Board’s recommendations, and the findings of the competent authority related to the rejection.

The DoPT had earlier told the tribunal that there was “no such system” of 360-degree appraisal for empanelment of government officials and that no such records existed.






Parliamentary panel diagnoses serious governance lapses at IREL

By
LO Bureau
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Lapses at IREL

A parliamentary panel has diagnosed serious lapses in corporate governance at Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL). The panel found out that the state-run rare earth miner has been functioning without a regular Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) for more than a year now. This is not all; all four non-official independent directors’ posts too have been lying vacant.

The Committee on Public Undertakings (CPU), in its action-taken report tabled in the Parliament recently, has raised serious questions over the absence of a full board, saying it not only hampers the functioning of the company but also violates established corporate governance norms applicable to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

The committee found that the post of CMD has been lying vacant since November 30, 2024, when the previous incumbent, Sarda Bhushan Mohanty, superannuated. The Director (Finance) has been acting as the CMD in additional charge since then.

The panel also noted that despite the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) conducting interviews and recommending a candidate, the appointment could not be made as the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has not given its approval yet. It has resulted in the top leadership position remaining unfilled.

The panel also questioned the vacancy of all four posts of non-official independent directors on IREL’s board, which reduces the board’s effective strength to half of its sanctioned capacity of 12 directors.

The panel highlighted another complication, saying that this situation is inconsistent with Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines, which require unlisted CPSEs to have at least one-third of their board members as independent directors.

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), on its part, tried to impress upon the parliamentary committee by saying that it has taken up the issue of independent directors’ appointment with the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and that its efforts are on in that direction; the panel brushed it aside, saying this response could only be treated as an interim reply.

The committee has remarked in its report that prolonged vacancies at both the leadership and board levels undermine principles of corporate governance and weaken oversight at a time when IREL is executing strategically critical projects in the rare earth and atomic minerals space.

SC Collegium recommends five Chief Justice appointments and transfer of one sitting Chief Justice

By
LO Bureau
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SC to have more judges

The Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday (December 18, 2025) cleared a set of key recommendations for appointments and transfers of Chief Justices across several High Courts.

As part of the exercise, Justice Manoj Gupta of the Allahabad High Court has been recommended for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court. His proposed elevation comes in view of the impending retirement of the current Chief Justice on January 9, 2026.

Justice Revati P. Mohit Dere, who is presently serving in the Bombay High Court, has been recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. The recommendation follows the decision to transfer the incumbent Chief Justice, Justice Soumen Sen, as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, where the sitting Chief Justice is due to retire on January 9, 2026.

The Collegium has also recommended Justice M.S. Sonak of the Bombay High Court for appointment as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, filling the vacancy arising from the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice on January 8, 2026.

Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque of the Kerala High Court has been proposed for elevation as Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, while Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo of the Orissa High Court has been recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.

These recommendations will now be forwarded to the government for further processing and formal appointments.

Telangana DGP B Shivadhar Reddy’s appointment challenged in High Court

By
LO Bureau
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B Shivadhar Reddy IPS

The appointment of B Shivadhar Reddy (IPS:1994:TG) as Director General of Police and Head of Police Force of Telangana has come under judicial scrutiny, with a petition challenging the process being heard by the Telangana High Court on Thursday (December 18).

The petition was filed by social activist T Dhangopal Rao. He said the appointment violated the Supreme Court’s directions in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case. The Supreme Court had said that a DGP should not be appointed on an acting basis and that states must send a panel of eligible officers to the UPSC at least three months before the retirement of the outgoing DGP.

The petitioner said information received under the RTI Act showed that the UPSC did not hold any empanelment committee meeting before Shivadhar Reddy’s appointment. He also alleged that the Telangana government did not send the required list of eligible IPS officers to the UPSC. He sought a writ of quo warranto to cancel the appointment.

The Advocate General A. Sudharshan Reddy, appearing for the state, told the court that a panel had been sent to the UPSC. He said the Commission had asked the state for some clarifications. He also argued that a writ of quo warranto could not be used in this case and said any violation of Supreme Court directions should be dealt with through contempt proceedings.

After hearing both sides, the High Court said compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions was mandatory. The court did not pass any interim order. It asked the Advocate General to give clear written instructions on whether a panel of senior IPS officers had been sent to the UPSC.

The case will be heard again on December 22.

Also Read: B Shivadhar Reddy given full additional charge as Telangana DGP

Also Read: CV Anand, Shivadhar Reddy in race for Telangana DGP

Ashwini Kumar Tewari re-appointed as SBI Managing Director

By
LO Bureau
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Ashwini Kumar Tewari SBI MD

The central government on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) re-appointed Ashwini Kumar Tewari as Managing Director of the State Bank of India (SBI). His present term was to end on January 27, 2026.

An order issued by the Department of Financial Services said his re-appointment will take effect from the date he takes charge. He will remain in the post till his superannuation on December 31, 2027, or until further orders.

Tewari joined SBI as a probationary officer in 1991. He was appointed Managing Director in January 2021 for a three-year term. His tenure was later extended by two years beyond January 27, 2024. The latest order further extends his term as Managing Director of the bank.

PESB invites applications for Director (HR), Bharat Electronics Limited

By
LO Bureau
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The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has invited applications for the post of Director (Human Resources), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The vacancy notification was issued on Thursday (December 18, 2025), with January 8, 2026, set as the last date for submitting applications through the PESB portal.

The post will fall vacant on April 1, 2026, following the superannuation of the incumbent Nagarajan Vikraman on March 31, 2026, who is serving in the position since January 2023.

Eligible candidates from both public and private sector organizations are invited to apply for this key leadership role.

Renowned technocrat and former IAS SVR Srinivas takes over as AGICL MD

By
LO Bureau
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IAS SVR Srinivas

A distinguished technocrat and retired IAS officer, Sonti Venkata Ratna Srinivas (IAS:1991:MH), has taken over as the Managing Director of the Amaravati Growth and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (AGICL). The order regarding his appointment had been issued on Dec 16, 2025. Srinivas has been hired for the special purpose of effectively implementing development projects in the Amaravati capital region.

Srinivas took charge at his office in the AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) building on Dec 17. He will be responsible for preparing detailed development plans for special projects based on the approved master plan, implementing projects, and operating and maintaining city-level services with the approval of APCRDA.

Having a veteran technocrat like Srinivas on board is considered to be no less than an achievement for the Chandrababu Naidu government. That is the reason why Srinivas has been given a free hand in selecting developers, contractors, and operators; collecting development charges, lease rentals, and user charges, and mobilising financial resources from the market in addition to government funding.

Telangana-born Srinivas is widely known for his expertise in urban infrastructure, technology, and public service, and he played crucial roles in Mumbai Metro, Dharavi Redevelopment, and AIIMS digital transformation. He also played a crucial role in building the famous Atal Setu in Patna.

AGICL has been constituted to handle special and large-scale development projects in the capital city area. The idea behind it is to ensure planned growth of Amravati.

Nagesh Singh appointed India’s next High Commissioner to Australia

By
LO Bureau
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Nagesh Singh IFS

Senior diplomat Nagesh Singh (IFS:1995), currently serving as India’s Ambassador to Thailand, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Australia. He will succeed Gopal Baglay (IFS:1992), who has been posted in Australia since September 2023.

In an official statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Nagesh Singh has been appointed High Commissioner of India to Australia and is expected to assume charge of the assignment shortly.

Suspended Andhra IPS PV Sunil Kumar demands removal of Deputy Assembly Speaker

By
LO Bureau
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IPS PV Sunil Kumar

Having to swallow the bitter pill you prescribed for others during your heyday is really a painful experience. If you have any doubt, just ask the suspended Andhra Pradesh IPS officer, PV Sunil Kumar. He is the prime accused in a custodial torture case and is facing interrogation.

Kumar now wants Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju to be stripped of his official positions. He made this demand through his post on X on Dec 17, saying it is necessary for a “free and fair” investigation into the 2021 custodial torture allegations against him. Kumar’s demand comes after an investigation was revived against him by the Chandrababu Naidu-led government.

Kumar tries to make it look simple by saying that as he was suspended so that a fair probe takes place, so by using the same yardstick, Raju too should be divested of power.  

The ongoing probe against Sunil Kumar is based on allegations of Raju, who was then a rebel YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP. Raju alleged that he was subjected to third-degree torture while in CID custody in May 2021. Raju later alleged that he was physically assaulted and even the medical aid was denied to him. Raju later approached the Supreme Court, which directed medical examinations and raised concerns over the handling of the case.

Following the apex court’s observations, multiple FIRs were filed based on his complaints, accusing CID officials of custodial violence. Thus, Sunil Kumar, who was the Additional Director General of Police (CID) at the time, was named as the prime accused in the case.

The story of controversy that began on 14 May, 2021, got a new lease of life after the Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government came to power in the state in June 2024. The new government revived the probe. The table had turned as Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, who had switched allegiance to the TDP, became Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

It boded disaster for Sunil Kumar, who was suspended on the basis of the torture allegations in March this year, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has since been interrogating him.

 

Manipur sends back IPS officer, Inspector to Delhi Police, asks for substitutes

By
LO Bureau
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Manipur Governor

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has repatriated an IPS officer and a Delhi Police inspector to the Delhi Police. They had been attached to the Manipur Police more than two years back on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The governor has also asked the MHA for their substitutes to be deputed to Manipur to assist the violence-ravaged state in probing the cases related to ethnic violence.

It should be recalled that in the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, over 200 people had been killed, several hundred injured, and thousands displaced in Manipur. The ensuing bloody incidents of violence led the MHA to ask all states to nominate superintendent of police-rank officers for attachment to Manipur. As per directions of the MHA, the Delhi Police deputed Harendra Kumar Singh (IPS:2011:DP), who was a superintendent of police at the time, to Manipur along with Inspector Praveen Kumar Maheshwari.

 Singh, who has now completed more than two years of service in Manipur, was promoted to the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) rank on January 1 this year and hence has been repatriated to his home cadre.

In August 2023, the MHA had asked the Delhi Police to place its officials at the disposal of the CBI. In its response on September 13, 2023, the then additional commissioner of Delhi Police (headquarters), P K Mishra wrote to the CBI director saying that the Delhi Police had nominated four officers—IPS officers Shweta Chauhan (IPS:2010:DP) and Esha Pandey (IPS:2010:DP), Harendra Kumar Singh (IPS:2011:DP), and Inspector Praveen Kumar Maheshwari—and placed them at the disposal of the CBI for investigations into FIRs related to the Manipur violence.

While Pandey was deputed to the CBI, the other three officers were directed to work with the Manipur Government. Later Pandey and Chauhan were promoted to the rank of DIG and were repatriated to their parent cadre after some months. The remaining two, Harendra Kumar Singh and Inspector Praveen Kumar Maheshwari, were attached with the Manipur police.

In an order issued earlier this month, the Manipur government informed the MHA that the two officers—Singh and Maheshwari—are being repatriated to their parent departments.

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