During the hearing on Friday, advocates Kaveetha Wadia and Astha Sharma, representing the petitioners, pointed out that the respondents had not filed a counter till date.
The counsel for the State government said it was in consultation with the Union Home Ministry with regard to the appointment of new DGP.
Walia submitted that they the State was delaying by not recommending the names of two senior IPS formers, former DGP Rupin Sharma and Janardhan Singh, but instead proposing the name of RP Kikon, a localite.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for the original petitioner (Prakash Singh case in which the present application was filed), submitted,
“If a senior most person is there and is fit on every basis why should not he be appointed? Longkumer’s appointment was illegal totally since he was from Chhattisgarh cadre and did not even have 30 years experience when appointed. Unfortunately the UPSC seems to be going along with this charade. Minced meat has been made of the directions issued in the Prakash Singh case,” he said.
CJI Chandrachud then remarked that the names of Sharma, Singh and Kikon can be proposed as per existing seniority.
The bench in its order noted that the UPSC sought 60 days time to convene the empaneling committee to make the appointment since consultation with Union Home Ministry was needed.
However, the same was declined by the bench which ordered the UPSC tohold empanelment meeting within a week.
“We note that UPSC has no justification to state that tenure of Longkumer will be over on February 23. The UPSC is duty-bound to comply with the Supreme Court’s orders and [we] decline the 60-days time sought.“
Source: Barandbench
