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.
Also Read: SC to hear pleas challenging Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta’s appointment
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