Runul Pratap (IA&AS:2014), who was recommended for central deputation by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Delhi.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (August 18, 2025), Pratap has been appointed to the post under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) for a tenure of four years, from the date of assumption of charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
IAS officer Shelesh Nawal (IAS:2010:MH), who is currently serving as Deputy Director at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) at the Deputy Secretary level, has been re-designated as Deputy Director (Senior) at the Director level.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (August 18, 2025), the competent authority approved the re-designation with effect from the date he assumes charge of the upgraded post. His tenure will continue until September 27, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Nawal has been on central deputation since September 28, 2021. The re-designation comes as part of the routine process after completing 14 years of service in the IAS.
To address long-pending civic concerns, Haryana Chief Principal Secretary (CPS) to CM, Rajesh Khullar, has been stationed in Gurugram for the past five days, holding reviews with officials, local bodies, and residents.
During an inspection of Rajiv Chowk, Farukhnagar–Basai Road and Dhankaut Road, Khullar directed authorities to clear road encroachments, strengthen berms, and improve traffic flow. He stressed that officials must bring visible changes. “The public should feel the difference after your posting here,” he told officers.
At a high-level review with GMDA, MCG, HSVP, police and district administration, issues such as waterlogging, solid waste management, garbage disposal, stray cattle, and road infrastructure were taken up. GMDA informed that a comprehensive drainage plan has been executed, covering 12 critical waterlogging points including Narsinghpur, Rajiv Chowk, Khandsa Chowk, Umang Bhardwaj Chowk, and Ambience Mall area. Construction of stormwater drains is also in progress.
Khullar expressed concern over stray cattle accidents and ordered a mechanism to make Gurugram roads cattle-free. He also directed civic agencies to clear garbage and construction debris from roadsides, warning that heaps of waste present a “filthy picture” of the city.
Meanwhile, progress on the ₹550 crore Sheetla Mata Devi Medical College and Hospital at Kherki Majra was reviewed. The project, which includes teaching blocks, hostels, a nursing college, and a trauma centre, is expected to be handed over to the Health Department by the year-end.
The Supreme Court on Monday (August 18, 2025) declined to hear a contempt petition challenging the appointment of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta (IPS:1990:JH). The petitioners alleged that the state government’s decision to appoint Gupta as Director General of Police and extend his service violated the 2006 Prakash Singh judgment and UPSC guidelines.
It was claimed that Gupta’s appointment bypassed the UPSC-recommended panel and that his service extension beyond the retirement age of 60 years (April 2025) was unlawful.
A bench comprising CJI BR Gavai, Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice NV Anjaria refused to entertain the contempt plea, observing that such petitions cannot be used to settle political scores. The CJI remarked: “We will not allow the jurisdiction of contempt to be used for political revenge. Resolve political disputes in front of the voters.”
The court further noted that public interest litigation (PIL) is meant to serve socio-economically disadvantaged citizens, not personal or political agendas.
Among the petitioners was opposition leader Babulal Marandi, who was advised by the bench to approach the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for remedies on service-related matters.
Raipur is set to become the first city in Chhattisgarh to implement the Police Commissioner system, a move described as a major step towards strengthening urban law and order. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on August 15, marking a historic shift in the state’s policing framework.
The commissionerate system, already operational in several major Indian cities, empowers senior police officers with direct decision-making authority in matters related to crime, public order, and emergencies under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Officials believe this reform will ensure quicker responses, better crime prevention, and enhanced accountability in fast-growing urban areas like Raipur.
Although discussions on the commissioner system have been ongoing for years, the process gained momentum soon after Sai’s government took charge. The initial framework for Raipur is nearly complete, and the model is expected to be extended to other cities with populations exceeding 10 lakhs, including Durg and Bilaspur.
Under the new structure, powers traditionally held by the District Collector in law and order matters will shift to the Police Commissioner, reducing bureaucratic delays and enabling faster resolution at the police level. The system also gives commissioners the authority to issue permits for hotels, bars, and protests, grant firearm licenses, and intervene directly in riots or land disputes.
To strengthen oversight, Raipur will be divided into multiple zones, each headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). The state government believes this move reflects its commitment to modernising governance, improving law enforcement efficiency, and ensuring safety in rapidly expanding urban centers.
The incumbent Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, Anurag Jain (IAS:1989:MP), is set to retire on August 31. On July 10, Legendofficers.com reported that Jain’s chances of receiving an extension were high unless unexpected developments emerged.
However, buzz in the power corridors of Delhi and Bhopal has intensified as the state government has not yet forwarded a request to the Centre for extending his tenure. This delay has fueled speculation, with two contrasting theories making rounds. One section believes the silence signals a possible change, while another aligns with Legendofficers.com’s earlier report suggesting no major hurdle in Jain securing an extension.
In case Anurag Jain does not get an extension, two names are prominently being discussed as his possible successors: Dr. Rajesh Rajora (IAS:1990:MP), Additional Chief Secretary and Vice President of the Narmada Valley Development Department, and Alka Upadhyaya (IAS:1990:MP), currently serving as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying at the Centre. Both are considered seasoned administrators and strong contenders for the top bureaucratic post in Madhya Pradesh.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) will reportedly move from the historic South Block to the newly constructed Executive Enclave as part of the Central Vista Project. The relocation, planned for September, comes 78 years after independence and will place the PMO closer to the Prime Minister’s residence.
According to the government, the old North and South Block buildings will be repurposed into the “Yuga Yugin Bharat Sangrahalaya,” a world-class museum showcasing India’s cultural heritage, history, and future aspirations. To facilitate this transformation, the National Museum has partnered with France Museum Development.
During the recent inauguration of new administrative buildings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that governance had long operated from colonial-era offices, often struggling with inadequate space, ventilation, and natural light. The new enclave, he said, would provide modern infrastructure aligned with India’s cultural and historical identity.
Alongside the PMO, the Executive Enclave will house the Cabinet Secretariat, National Security Council Secretariat, and a state-of-the-art conference facility—features missing from the old colonial structures. The government has also hinted that the new PMO may be renamed to better reflect its public service character.
The Supreme Court will on Monday hear a batch of petitions challenging the appointment of Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta (IPS:1990:JH), with petitioners alleging that due process and apex court guidelines were violated.
A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, will take up the matter. Among the petitioners is Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, who has opposed Gupta’s appointment.
On July 24, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear a plea filed by a social activist after senior advocate Anjana Prakash submitted that the guidelines framed by the apex court for DGP appointments were not followed.
Gupta, who was due to retire on April 30, 2025, under central service rules, had been holding the charge of DGP before being formally appointed on February 2, 2025. His appointment came under the newly notified Jharkhand DGP and IG Selection and Appointment Rules, 2025, issued on January 8.
However, on April 22, 2025, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs wrote to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, clarifying that Gupta’s tenure could not extend beyond his retirement. Despite the Centre’s objections, the state government chose to retain him as DGP.
The dispute arises from a 2006 Supreme Court judgment mandating that DGPs be chosen from a panel of three senior-most IPS officers prepared by the UPSC, with a fixed tenure of two years. Petitioners allege these directions were disregarded in Gupta’s case.
Earlier, the apex court had also sought responses from the Jharkhand government and Anurag Gupta on a contempt plea alleging non-compliance with its earlier directives. Monday’s hearing is expected to be crucial in deciding the validity of Gupta’s appointment.
Senior Bihar cadre officer IPS Amit Lodha (IPS:1998:BH) is facing fresh trouble as the state government has granted sanction to prosecute him in a disproportionate assets (DA) case. The file has been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and further action will hinge on the Centre’s approval. Lodha is presently posted as ADG, State Crime Records Bureau.
The vigilance case dates back to 7 December 2022, when the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) registered a case against Lodha under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and sections of the IPC. Investigators alleged that Lodha amassed assets exceeding ₹2 crore beyond his known sources of income.
The charges stem not only from disproportionate assets but also from Lodha’s alleged business dealings with Netflix and Friday Storytellers, linked to the popular series Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. Questions were raised over conflict of interest since a serving IPS officer cannot enter into commercial contracts or receive payment from private entities.
Notably, his promotion was withheld by the state government due to the pending vigilance inquiry. He approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which ruled in his favour, leading to his promotion from IG to ADG in March 2025. However, a month later, the government formed a high-level committee to review prosecution clearance against him. Based on the committee’s report, the state has now approved prosecution.
If the Centre clears the prosecution, Lodha could face significant legal hurdles, including the filing of a charge sheet by SVU, which may severely impact his career trajectory.
The Union government on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) notified the appointment of three Advocates as Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court for a period of two years. The decision follows the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation made on July 28, 2025.
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