A new twist has surfaced in the appointment process of the new police chief for Haryana, with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) returning the state government’s proposal to prepare a panel of three IPS officers for appointment of the new DGP. The UPSC has stated that no vacancy as such exists at this point, as the existing DGP Shatrujeet Kapur (IPS:1990:HY) is only on leave and could resume his duty at any time.

It should be noted here that Kapur had been asked to proceed on leave on October 14 amid the growing clamour for his ouster following the suicide of a fellow IPS officer, Y Puran Kumar (IPS:2001:HY).

The Haryana government had recently sent a proposal containing the names of five IPS officers to the UPSC for shortlisting three names.

The commission has stated in its communication that the state government is required to send its proposal only if there is an anticipation of the vacancy. But, since Shatrujeet Kapur is merely on leave and can join back as DGP anytime, there would be no vacancy after the retirement of officiating DGP, OP Singh (IPS:1992:HR). Singh was only given the additional charge of the state DGP during the leave period of Kapur. He is scheduled to retire on December 31

The five names sent to the UPSC for shortlisting by the state govt were:

• Shatrujeet Kapur (IPS:1990:HY), On leave
• Sanjeev Kumar Jain (IPS:1991:HY), DGP, Haryana Human Rights Commission
• Ajay Singhal (IPS:1992:HY), DGP, Vigilance & ACB
• Alok Kumar Mittal (IPS:1993:HY), MD, Haryana Police Housing Corporation
• Arshinder Singh Chawla (IPS:1993:HY), Director, Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban

The name of officiating DGP O P Singh was not included in the list as he is retiring on December 31 and as per the Supreme Court’s guidelines, an officer must have at least six months of service remaining to be eligible for the post.

Now, if the Haryana government is disinclined to retain Satrujeet Kapur as DGP after he returns from leave, the state govt will have to send a fresh proposal to the commission explaining the key element—occurrence of vacancy.