Supreme Court Questions Jharkhand DGP Rule and Orders Wider Review of State Appointment Laws

The Supreme Court questioned a Jharkhand rule allowing consideration of an officer with less than six months of service remaining for appointment as Director General of Police.

Background

The State had framed its appointment framework in 2025. The challenge concerns the appointment of DGP Tadasha Mishra and compliance with the police-reform safeguards established in Prakash Singh.

Legal issue

The Bench considered whether a State may depart from the minimum residual-service requirement and how similar provisions in other States should be examined.

Court’s approach

Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed that the Jharkhand provision appeared prima facie inconsistent with the earlier directions. The Court asked amicus Raju Ramachandran to examine laws and appointments in other States, with UPSC assistance.

What follows

Mishra is to receive notice and an opportunity to be heard. Jharkhand may revisit the rule or file its response. The case was posted after one week; the validity of the rule and appointment remains undecided.