The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has scheduled a meeting on August 10 in New Delhi to shortlist three IPS officers from the Haryana cadre, among whom the state government will choose the next Director General of Police (DGP). The current DGP, PK Agrawal (IPS:1988:HY), is concluding his term on August 15.
Amidst the scenario where the state government declined to forward the service record of Manoj Yadava (IPS:1988:HY), former head of the state police, to the UPSC, citing his unwillingness to come back to his parent cadre and his recent appointment as the Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) under the central government, uncertainty looms over his inclusion among the panel of three candidates. This uncertainty arises in light of the Supreme Court’s directives and the declarations made by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the apex court, asserting that an officer’s consent is not a prerequisite for the appointment as the state’s Director General of Police (DGP). The MHA’s stance was elucidated during the January hearing of an interlocutory application submitted by the Nagaland government in the Supreme Court.
The decision to withhold Yadava’s service record aims to ensure that the selection of the next DGP is based on seniority, merit, and experience. Three IPS officers currently serving in the state – Muhammad Akil (IPS:1989:HY), RC Mishra (IPS:1989:HY), and Shatrujeet Kapur (IPS:1990:HY) – are being considered for the position. Sources suggest that Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is inclined toward selecting Kapur to lead the state police force.
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