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Under new rules brought in by the Uttar Pradesh government, the state’s police chief will be selected by a committee chaired by a retired High Court judge. This is a departure from the earlier process, under which the state would send a list of names to the Union Public Service Commission, which would make the selection.
The ‘Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh Selection and Appointment Rules, 2024’ was cleared by the state Cabinet on Monday evening.
Officials said the decision was taken citing a Supreme Court order dated September 22, 2006, in which, according to officials, the apex court expressed its expectation that state governments enact a new Police Act that would be capable of keeping the police system free from pressures, safeguarding the rights of citizens and establishing the rule of law.
“In view of the spirit contained in the said order, it appears appropriate that the chief of the Uttar Pradesh state police force should be selected in such a manner that the holder of the said post is able to achieve the objectives envisaged by the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” an official said.
A government spokesperson said the objective of the new rules is to establish an independent and transparent mechanism for selection of the DGP. “The said selection is free from political or executive interference and is also in accordance with the specific conditions and policing requirements of the State of Uttar Pradesh,” an official said.
Reacting to the new rules, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, saying, “I have heard that arrangements are being made to give a permanent post to a senior office and extend his tenure by two years… The question is whether the person making the arrangement will himself stay for two years.”
In a post on X, he asked, “Is this an attempt to take the reins from Delhi into one’s own hands? Delhi vs Lucknow 2.0.”
The committee for the selection and appointment of the DGP will be headed by a retired judge of the High Court and will also include the Chief Secretary of the state, a nominee of the UPSC, the chairperson or nominee of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Home Department, as well as a retired DGP as its members.
Under the new rules, the nomination committee shall be constituted on the basis of merit of those officers, who have a minimum period of six months of service left from the date of creation of vacancy in the post of DGP.
Further, the new rules would also fix the minimum tenure of the DGP at two years, i.e. once selected for appointment, the police chief should serve for a minimum of two years.
Further, guidelines passed by the Supreme Court have been followed in the provisions relating to the removal of the DGP from his post.
“He may be relieved of his responsibilities by the state government before the completion of the aforesaid period of two years in case any criminal case or case of corruption is filed against him, or if he otherwise fails to discharge his duties and responsibilities,” an official said.
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