The introduction of a fresh set of directives concerning the review of development and law enforcement procedures in Uttar Pradesh has stirred unease within the circles of the Indian Police Service (IPS). It reached a point where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself had to step in and annul the order.
Issued on the 30th of August by UP Chief Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra, the order outlined that district magistrates (DMs) would oversee law and order assessments in 68 out of the total 75 districts. There is speculation that this directive may have been issued without the knowledge of the chief minister.
The now-rescinded order specified that the DM would preside over monthly law and order meetings, with the participation of senior superintendent of police (SSP)/superintendent of police (SP)/additional district magistrate, additional SP, deputy SP, senior prosecution officer, district government counsel, and all station house officers (SHOs).
In the remaining seven districts – Agra, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Noida, Prayagraj, and Varanasi – the responsibility would fall under the police commissioners operating within the police commissionerate system.
This move prompted senior officials within the UP Police to bring the matter to the attention of the Chief Minister. Consequently, the order was swiftly revoked, with district police chiefs being informed of the decision by the evening of August 31st, as confirmed by a source within the state government.
In districts where a commissionerate system is not in place, the DM continues to hold the position of the head of the criminal judicial system, as per the Police Act of 1861.
This isn’t the first time such an order has been issued. A similar order was issued in 2017 but was withdrawn after discontent was expressed by the DGP headquarters and top IPS officers. Additionally, a 2018 government order mandating district police chiefs to consult with DMs when appointing SHOs had led to friction in several districts.
