New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) not to finalise the names of probable officers for appointment as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha until August 18, while it considers a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging irregularities in the selection process.
Bench seeks response, orders deferment
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the interim order after being told that the UPSC was slated to hold a meeting on Thursday to finalise probable names. The court asked counsel for the commission to assist when the matter is taken up on August 18 but directed that no decision should be taken in the meantime.
"We will take it up on August 18. You assist us on that day but don’t finalise in the meanwhile. You defer your decision. If there is back door entry, it is not acceptable," the bench told the UPSC's counsel.
The PIL before the court has alleged that the Odisha government was attempting to include a junior officer in the list of probable candidates for the DGP post, in contravention of the apex court’s earlier directions. The petition seeks to ensure adherence to the seniority and transparency norms in the appointment to the state’s top police post.
Immediate administrative context
The current DGP of Odisha, Y B Khurania, is scheduled to demit office on August 16. The court’s order prevents the UPSC from concluding the process to name probable successors until the matter is further heard.
- Who ordered the stay: Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
- Who was restrained: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Next hearing: August 18, when the court will seek responses from UPSC and other parties.
What the order means for Odisha's policing leadership
The order effectively pauses the centralised part of the appointment process for the state DGP until the Supreme Court examines the allegations in the PIL. While the petition centres on claims of an attempt to place a junior officer among probable candidates, the court’s direction is limited to deferring the UPSC’s finalisation of names until the next date of hearing.
The matter involves both legal and administrative considerations — balancing the court’s earlier guidance on seniority and merit with the constitutional role of the UPSC and the state government in recommending and selecting candidates for the highest police office.
Timeline
| Event | Date/Status |
|---|---|
| Incumbent DGP Y B Khurania due to demit office | 16 August |
| Supreme Court restrains UPSC from finalising probable names | 14 August |
| Next Supreme Court hearing on the PIL | 18 August |
What to watch for next
- Responses from the UPSC and the state government at the August 18 hearing.
- Whether the court will issue further interim directions to maintain administrative continuity in the Odisha police leadership around August 16.
- Any additional documents or affidavits that the petitioners or respondents file alleging procedural breach or justifying the selection process.
The Supreme Court’s interim direction underscores the judiciary’s scrutiny of high-level appointments where questions of seniority, transparency and adherence to prior orders arise. The court has given immediate effect to the restraint and sought to have all concerned parties present their positions on the next date.
Odisha’s policing apparatus will be closely watching developments. The court’s order means the central selection process is temporarily frozen, and the outcome of the August 18 hearing will determine the timeline for filling the state’s top police post.
Reporting from New Delhi. The Supreme Court order and the dates cited are based on the PIL and the bench’s directions as recorded in court on Thursday.
