A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Tripura government’s failure to appoint a permanent Director General of Police (DGP) in compliance with the apex court’s guidelines. The plea highlights the state’s non-adherence to the 2006 Supreme Court judgment in the Prakash Singh case, which mandates a transparent and merit-based selection process for appointing police chiefs.
The petition, filed by advocate Anshuman Singh, underscores the critical role of the DGP in maintaining law and order, particularly in a border state like Tripura, which shares a long boundary with Bangladesh. The plea points to rising security concerns, including infiltration, smuggling, and crimes against women and children, as reasons for the urgent need for a permanent police chief.
According to the Supreme Court’s directives, the DGP must be selected from the three senior-most officers empaneled for promotion by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The selected candidate should have a minimum tenure of two years, irrespective of their retirement date. The petition alleges that the Tripura government has failed to approach the UPSC for recommendations, thereby violating the court’s guidelines.
The plea also highlights the deteriorating law and order situation in Tripura, exacerbated by political instability in neighboring Bangladesh. It calls for the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s guidelines to ensure the independence and effectiveness of the police force.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter on April 1, with a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna presiding over the case.
